Program Overview

Chronic back pain is one of the leading causes of absenteeism and work limitations, according to the Georgetown University Center on an Aging Society. Despite repeated office visits and medical procedures, patients continue to suffer. Fortunately, there are proven solutions to help reduce chronic patients’ pain, medical costs, medication usage and work disruptions.

Called LIFEBACK™ programs, these scientifically engineered protocols and devices, administered by specially trained spine rehab specialists, empower patients to master their pain, manage their own functional recovery and make wise lifestyle choices. It’s a successful evidence-based, outpatient model enhanced by best practices and proven effective by longitudinal metrics.

You’ll be happy to hear that, as a result of completing a LIFEBACK program, roughly 50% of out-of-work patients with chronic back pain have returned to work, and roughly 50% of patients working part time have converted to full-time work one year post program. Typically, less than 25% of chronic back pain sufferers out of work for more than one year ever return to work.

Outcomes demonstrate significant savings. An outcomes study of 2,809 patients participating in one of our LIFEBACK programs showed:

• 81.5% reduced doctor visits
• 93.8% reduced physical therapy visits
• 72.6% reduced prescription medication use
• 69.2% reduced non-prescription medication use

It’s easy to see how quickly savings can multiply with such patient outcomes. For example, we tracked 603 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota patients one year post-program and calculated a potential total annual savings of $1,386,478 due to reduced physical therapy and medication costs, not counting surgery avoidance.

Only 25% of chronic back pain suffers typically return to work after their condition has persisted for longer than one year. This chart shows the high effectiveness of LIFEBACK programs.

Key program components

LIFEBACK programs evolved from inpatient protocols at the world-famous Sister Kenny Institute in Minneapolis. The multidisciplinary approach was enhanced and scientifically engineered into outpatient programs to successfully address the underlying causes of chronic low back and neck pain. It trains patients how to regain control of their lives using:

• core strengthening and stabilization training
• flexibility training
• unloading therapy
• all presented in a cognitive behavioral environment

We call our approach “patient responsible” because it teaches patients how to strengthen their spines to become more flexible, how to safely exercise and how to positively use the force of gravity to reduce pain and their backs.

LIFEBACK programs are ideal for patients with recurring low back or cervical pain lasting more than 12 weeks. LIFEBACK programs use spinal unloading therapies that the patient can use independently at home to reduce weight bearing on the lumbar spine. In addition, LIFEBACK programs use a cognitive behavioral environment to help patients break the cycle of chronic pain and subsequent depression.

LIFEBACK programs are offered through a network of Spine Rehab Clinics that you can count on to follow consistent protocols. These clinics have helped more than 6,000 patients to date, receiving a 94% patient satisfaction rating in the process. To learn more, call 1-800-378-8186.

Links:

Learn more about our programs.

Check LIFEBACK program results based on patient pain condition.

Hear from the people who know our programs best:
our patients.