Abstract

Summary

Most patients with chronic spinal disorders require some form of rehabilitation in order to improve their pain and reduce their disability. In the past decade, controlled trials with rehabilitative interventions such as work hardening and exercise have been reported in the literature. Understanding these studies provides a framework from which rational rehabilitation programs can be structured. The literature supports active exercise programs using exercise-to-quota principles. Passive modalities and home exercise programs are less effective than are active supervised programs.

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