Background
The lifetime prevalence of low back pain (LBP) is high and recurrence is common. Graded motor imagery is a treatment method used in patients with chronic pain that has 3 stages: left/right discrimination or laterality recognition, explicit motor imagery, and mirror therapy.
Case Presentation
A 33-year-old man self-referred to physical therapy for chronic LBP. He demonstrated misconstrued beliefs regarding his LBP, impaired laterality recognition, and fear-avoidance behaviors.
Outcome and Follow-Up
This “monkey see, monkey do” approach, in conjunction with other interventions, resulted in a 10% improvement of modified Oswestry Disability Index score, greater than 90% laterality accuracy, and a reduction in pain levels.
Discussion
Graded motor imagery can facilitate sensory cortex reorganization. A unique approach to improving laterality recognition was demonstrated in this case: the patient could not improve his laterality scores to acceptable levels until he watched his wife successfully complete the task. JOSPT Cases 2021;1(1):61–67. doi:10.2519/josptcases.2021.9875
Dr. Cody Mansfield PT, DPT, OCS, AT, FAAOMPT
Dr. Matt Briggs PT, DPT, AT, PhD