FirstHealth of Andover would like to offer an integrative approach to those with back pain. A research-based program which promotes exercises that considers the individual, their physical capabilities, back history and age. This program focuses on building stability from the inside out with the objective of pain reduction and reasonable rehabilitation of back pain.

There are many people that we know, loved ones, friends and associates that have suffered from episodes of low back pain that range from uncomfortable to acute. There are many words of wisdom, videos, books and advice that are well intended but misguided in the world of back pain.

In the last ten years there has been a paradigm shift in exercise prescription for low back complaints. Recommendations via pamphlets or books tend to generalize lower back pain/soreness. Each individual needs to be evaluated and a customized plan implemented to fit their lower back parameters. The individual approach depends on many variables including health history, especially that of low back, age, and health goals of that individual.

Case Study: The Weekend Warrior and Back Pain

Mr. H presented at our office with chronic low back pain with occasional acute symptoms. His back pain limited his professional life as a computer software engineer and effected his enjoyment of being involved in activities like biking, running, his gym routine and the usual athletics and household chores on weekends. After a series of acupuncture treatments to help reduce his pain, Mr. H was referred to me to evaluate body mechanics, make modifications to everyday activity and prescribe an exercise routine that would help Mr. H reduce his back pain and get back to the things in life that he enjoyed. After an evaluation, stabilizing exercises for his back and abdominal wall were recommended. As Mr. H mastered the basic exercises, he progressed to more dynamic exercises and we specifically focused on the activities that Mr. H liked to do. The changes not only involved ergonomic modifications at work but rethinking how to strengthen his abdominal wall and back musculature. We began a strengthening program that was not traditional but effective and specifically targeted to strengthening his power muscles without compromising his lower back.

We worked together for several months with a conservative, yet progressive training program. Once the basic exercises were able to be done with ease, his program involved strength training and flexibility exercises specific to his needs. We wanted to create strength and endurance but not at the cost of his low back.

I will see Mr. H in town and he lets me know that he is doing well and enjoying the freedom of no back pain – especially on weekends.

The most important factor in low back health is to remove the variable(s) that is causing the back pain. The adage “NO PAIN NO GAIN” is inappropriate for exercise prescription when dealing with back pain. It is important in low back injury and performance training to have a few common denominators: to have a practicioner that has experience in working with low back complaints and a strong scientific foundation to enable evidence-base approaches. It’s time to “RETHINK YOUR APPROACH in dealing with your back pain.


McGill, Stuart. ( 2004) Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance, Wabuno Publishers, Ontario.


- Donna M. Schneider, BS, CES, CFT, CEAS