Physical Therapy And Your Claim For Short and Long Term Disability Benefits

One of the leading causes of short and long term disability claims in the United States is low back problems.

Your disability policy will require that you get ongoing care, including physical therapy, care for your back condition as a condition for getting disability benefits.  However, did you know that physical therapy can provide little long term relief to back pain?

What The Medical Literature Is Saying About Physical Therapy and Disability

In a study, published in JAMA, it was found that people who had a recent onset of low back pain got no long term relief for their pain.  The study participants were divided into two groups. The first group received four sessions of exercise and manipulation under the guidance of a physical therapist.  The other group was told that their low back pain would get better and were advised to be active as possible.

Surprisingly, there was no significant difference at anytime of the pain intensity, quality of life or the number of visits to health care providers.

While the physical therapy group showed significant improvement on the disability scale after three months, there was no difference between the groups after one year.

Julie Fritz, a Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Utah, commented that “the pattern of low back pain is one of recurrence and remission and changing the pattern is a real challenge, there are no magic answers.” 

Hopefully, you get benefit from your physical therapy.  If you don’t, make sure you tell your doctor and ask them to note in your chart that you didn’t get any improvement.  That way the disability carrier cannot argue that you haven’t cooperated!

What You Should Do If Your Disability Claim Has Been Denied

If your doctor has told you that you are unable to work as a result of back problems and the long term disability carrier has denied your claim, it’s time to contact short and long term disability back pain disability attorney, Nancy Cavey, she can help you get the disability benefits you deserve, regardless of where you live in the United States.  Don’t let the disability carrier take advantage of you!

Contact long and short term disability attorney, Nancy Cavey at (727) 894-3188 for a complimentary consultation.

New York Times 10-20-2015 Article: Of Little Help to Low Back.