CLIENT BACKGROUND:
John Doe is a 58-year-old male who is currently struggling with chronic lower back pain. He experiences difficulty in performing daily activities such as bending and lifting, and has limited range of motion in his lumbar region. John has moderate support from his family, but his social life is quite limited due to his condition. His diet is balanced, but he has noticed a decrease in appetite recently. John reports feelings of anxiety related to his pain and its impact on his life. He engages in light walking as his primary form of exercise. John has not experienced any recent falls or hospitalizations. For recreation, he enjoys reading and watching movies.
Client concerns
John's lower back pain began approximately two years ago following a work-related injury. He has undergone physical therapy and chiropractic treatments, which provided temporary relief. His pain is aggravated by prolonged sitting and relieved by heat application. John's sleep is often disrupted due to discomfort. He is hopeful about managing his condition but is concerned about potential worsening.
Patient-specific function scale
John struggles with activities such as vacuuming and gardening, rating his ability to complete these tasks at a 4 out of 10.
Goals
John aims to reduce his pain to a manageable level, improve his ability to perform household chores, enhance his overall health, and increase his walking endurance.
Assessments
A functional movement screen was completed, revealing limited flexibility in the hamstrings and lower back.
Intervention
We have prescribed a series of core strengthening exercises and gentle stretching routines for John to complete daily. Additionally, we recommended lifestyle changes including improved sleep hygiene and a gradual increase in physical activity. John identified time management as a barrier to implementing these changes.