Let’s look at a patient case study to examine how hybrid healthcare can work to provide the best possible care for patients.

Low Back Pain Case Study

John is a patient who complains of lower back pain. He has had a history of back pain, but his current pain was worsened by a car accident a month ago in which he rear-ended the car in which he was a passenger. He works in marketing and sits at his desk in front of a computer for several hours. At the end of the day, he says that he experiences pain that radiates down his legs. He presents with pelvic rotation, poor posture, and a lack of central control.

1. Chiropractic care: In this case, the chiropractor would address the patient’s pelvic rotation with a manual adjustment. This manipulation would help to return the pelvis to its correct articulation. Additionally, the patient may be placed on a traction table to help relieve some of the pressure and subsequently pain on the lumbar discs.

2. Physiotherapy: The physiotherapist would address the pelvic rotation also with mobilizations and manual therapy. Additionally, therapeutic exercise will be used to strengthen the core and add support to the lower back. Pain relief modalities such as: ultrasound, low level laser therapy, and TENS units will also be used.

3. Acupuncture: This non-traditional therapy is gaining popularity in the treatment of back and neck pain. In a study published in the Clinical Journal of Pain, Acupuncture was found to be effective in reducing pain and the reduction was effective for up to 6 months. The needles are placed at specific points throughout the body and stimulated with electrical stimulation for short periods of time. Participants reported a reduction in back pain and increased relaxation.

4. Massage: This complementary therapy will be used to treat specific problems or injuries, in this case, irradiated sciatic pain. Trigger point release and deep tissue massage will be used to help release the sciatic nerve and inhibit the experience of radiating pain.

5. Pilates – Another great adjunct therapy, Pilates will address a lack of core strength through mat exercises as well as modified work on the Reformer and Cadillac machines. Core strengthening is an essential component in this case study to help reduce the risk of recurrent back pain.

Health care and patients’ choices about how to address their health needs are evolving. Using a multi-layered approach is a wonderful way to offer a patient state-of-the-art care that addresses her unique set of needs.