At first glance one might think following the exercises on the paper would be helpful. After all, exercise and stretching are important for recovering from issues causing back pain, right? Yes and no.

The truth is targeted corrective exercise and stretching is critical for addressing many underlying causes of back pain. But if you get the same set of generic exercises to perform as everyone else, with no direction as to which ones address your specific condition, how do you know which exercises are helpful and which are harmful?

Let’s say for sake of example you have severe lower back pain caused by a muscle imbalance between one side of your body and the other. Unless you first, know you have a muscle imbalance, and second, have identified what that imbalance is, you will be unable to effectively correct it. Following the sheet of generic exercises will have you stretching muscles which are already weak and overstretched. Then you’ll begin strengthening muscles which are already overworked and tight. End result: you will likely make your existing problem worse.

Here’s the take home lesson for today. Before you ever perform any stretching or strengthening exercise given to you for treating back pain, neck pain or sciatica, make absolutely certain it is targeting you specific condition. That means either you or your healthcare provider must first accurately identify the muscle imbalances and postural dysfunctions the exercises are intended to correct by performing a physical assessment.

If your healthcare provider cannot or will not tell you what postural dysfunctions and muscle imbalances are contributing to your back pain, do NOT perform any exercises given by them. Instead, consider conducting a Muscle Balance Therapy self assessment or find a different, more knowledgeable provider.

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It works so well that athletes from every major sports league swear by it. In fact, several teams have purchased their own robots for use right in the locker room to keep their players in top form. Yet therapy sessions with the robot are affordable for almost anyone and are even covered by some insurance plans.

How the Therbo Robotic Arm works

Now before you get the wrong idea, this isn’t some self-controlled machine running on artificial intelligence. Rather it’s a highly specialized tool called a Therbo Robotic Arm guided by a human physical therapist.

Part of why this robotic therapy, sometimes called Meilus Robotic Therapy after the robot’s inventor Al Meilus, is so effective is because it follows the same principles as Muscle Balance Therapy. Al’s background as a GE automation engineer prior to entering the field of physical therapy helped him recognize that muscle imbalances are the root cause of a significant percentage of back pain, sciatica and other pain complaints.

By using the robot to apply highly specific and consistent pressure, the Therbo causes overly tight muscles to relax and actually lengthen on the spot. By relieving pressure from the taut muscle many patients report immediate relief from back pain, sciatica, migraines, shoulder pain, and many other types of pain. It has proven to be a very effective complementary pain treatment for many types of pain.

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