Physical Therapy Management of Patients with Spinal Pain: An Evidence-Based Approach

In this rapidly changing health care environment, a challenge today’s physical therapist faces is finding, evaluating, and implementing current best evidence into practicce, an integral part of health care professional educational programs. With that goal in mind, Physical Therapy Management of Patients With Spinal Pain: An Evidence-Based Approach provides a comprehensive research-based overview of the examination and physical therapy interventions of the spine.

Inside Physical Therapy Management of Patients With Spinal Pain, Drs. Deborah M. Stetts and J. Gray Carpenter evaluate the current evidence related to spinal pain and present it in a format that allows for an easy transition to the clinical environment. By providing effective clinical interventions, rather than relying on habits or tradition, patients benefit from an increased likelihood of improved quality of life with the least potential of personal and financial risk.

Some features include:
• Over 650 photographs, images, and tables
• Access to a supplemental video Website with new book purchase
• Best practice for evaluating and treating the lumbar spine, thoracic spine, and cervical spine
• Comprehensive coverage of the clinical presentation of spine-related pathologies from evaluation to treatment

Each chapter outlines the history, physical examination, physical therapy diagnosis, evidence-based management guidelines, and case studies for each topic. Case studies will challenge the reader’s clinical reasoning skills with the use of current best evidence throughout the initial examination and subsequent treatment sessions.

Bonus!
Also included with Physical Therapy Management of Patients With Spinal Pain is access to a supplemental Website containing more than 375 video demonstrations corresponding to the tests and measures, examination, evaluation, and intervention procedures covered within the text.

Physical Therapy Management of Patients With Spinal Pain: An Evidence-Based Approach is the go-to reference text and accompanying Web site for the physical therapy students, or clinicians who are reaching for best practice through providing the highest level of evidence-informed care in the evaluation and management of patients with spinal pain.

Deborah M. Stetts, PT, DPT is an associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Elon University, NC, where she teaches professional students in the area of musculoskeletal management. Current research interests involve the use of real-time ultrasound imaging to examine abdominal muscle performance in select patient populations. Dr. Stetts is board certified in orthopedic physical therapy and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic and Manual Physical Therapists. She has over 23 years of service as a physical therapist in the United States Army working in a variety of clinical, academic, and administrative positions. Dr. Stetts completed her DPT from Arizona School of Health Sciences, A.T. Still University, Mesa, AZ, in 2003; a master of physical therapy from the U.S. Army–Baylor University Graduate Program in Waco, TX in 1981; and a bachelor of science in health and physical education from Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA in 1976. She completed a residency in advanced orthopedic manual therapy at the Kaiser Physical Therapy Program, Hayward, CA, in 1990. Her professional experience and training have been primarily in orthopedic and manual physical therapy.

J. Gray Carpenter, PT, DPT, COMT graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from East Carolina University, Greenville, NC in 1992 and completed his doctor of physical therapy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2006. Dr. Carpenter also completed the Certificate in Orthopedic Manual Therapy from Manual Concepts, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, in 2002. He became a board-certified specialist in orthopedics through the American Physical Therapy Association in 2008 and became a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic and Manual Physical Therapists in 2009. During his career, Dr. Carpenter has primarily worked in outpatient orthopedic settings but has experience in several settings such as acute care, home health, inpatient rehab, and wound care. He currently works as a staff physical therapist at Alamance Regional Medical Center in Burlington, NC as well as serving as associate faculty at Elon University in the musculoskeletal module. Dr. Carpenter has been very active in the North Carolina Physical Therapy Association (NCPTA) and has held several positions with the NCPTA.