DBC BACK & NECK
What are the benefits of the back and neck program?
“Knowledge & service has been brilliant with the guys who have worked with me. I feel great after each session & much more
confident now that the program is complete. #STRONG”
WHY CHOOSE THE DBC PROGRAM?
The Documentation Based Care (DBC) Back & Neck program enjoys a success rate of 9/10.
Medical Aids pay for the sessions out of a Risk Management Fund for the DBC program, which is not offered to other practices (where patients have to pay out of their savings or day-to-day benefits).
The initial assessment as well as reassessment comprise of documenting subjective and objective data. Most other practices do not have the luxury of being able to collect quantitative measures.Â
The specialised exercise machines at DBC are a compliment to a practitioner’s rehabilitation and are imported from Finland. These are owned only by DBC accredited practices, of which there are very few.
DBC AIMS
The DBC program offers individualised treatment for either the back or the neck depending on the individual patient assessment. The program is a rehabilitation-type of program that is aimed at changing peoples’ lives physically, psychologically, emotionally and physiologically.
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DBC understands that if the quality of life can improve then the patients will go back to, or get close to, the level of function before the condition. The DBC program decreases pain, reduces use of medications, and avoids unnecessary surgeries.
WHAT CONDITIONS ARE TREATED BY THE DBC PROGRAM?
- Chronic back and neck pain
- Post-operative neck and back pain
- Whiplash associated disorders
- Back and neck pain after an accident
- Muscular spasms
- Disc herniation
- Spondylosis/ degeneration
- Nerve root compression
- Sciatica
- Pain/numbness/pins and needles that shoot down the leg or arm
- Non-specific lower back pain
- Headaches
- The DBC treatment program is translated into practice by a combination of assessment, treatment and outcome-monitoring protocols. All protocols are evidence-based.
- The program and its duration depend entirely on the severity of pain and deconditioning, the psychological profile and the social needs of the patient. These are analysed through validated questionnaires and thorough measurements.
- This process is to define the needs of the patients and to monitor progress and document outcomes.
- The patient will undergo an initial assessment from a GP, physiotherapist and a biokineticist.
- The duration of the program is either 6 weeks, 3 weeks or 1 individual session, depending on the patients needs.
WHICH MEDICAL AIDS OFFER
THE DBC PROGRAM?
- AECI
- Alliance Midmed
- Bankmed
- Barloworld
- Bestmed
- Bonitas
- Fedhealth
- GEMS
- GetHealth
- Libcare
- Makoti
- Malcor
- Medihelp
- Nedgroup
- Old Mutual Staff Medical Aid Fund
- Polmed
- Resolution Health
- SABC
- Sasolmed
- Sizwe
- Spectramed
- Topmed
HISTORY AND REPUTATION
The DBC program has been developed over the last 20 years and originates in Finland. Today, the DBC network spans treatment providers in more than 22 countries on 5 continents, South Africa being one of them. The DBC program is used for the treatment of long term back and neck problems and its systems are completely evidence and outcome-based with a current success rate in excess of 85% after an average of 3-6 weeks’ treatment.
Furthermore, recurrences of significant back pain and absenteeism are rare, especially if patients remain active after the DBC treatment. With clinical trials on over 70 thousand patients worldwide and such phenomenal results, we are provided with exceptional evidence for the efficacy of the DBC treatment program.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON INJURIES TREATED BY THE DBC PROGRAM?
Cervicogenic headaches: Â these are headaches that come from the neck, caused by incorrect posture or weak muscles. The symptoms include a headache or path of pain that runs from the neck up along the back of the head often causing pain above the eye, or around the ear. These headaches are usually on one side of the head. The treatment involves muscle strengthening and mobilization and recovery time is between a few hours and a few days.
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Spondylosis: This is the degeneration of the spine. This may be the disc, vertebra, the cartilage or the joints. Symptoms include pain and stiffness and can sometimes lead to numbness and pins and needles down the arms, as well as headaches. Treatment involves improving mobility with exercise, physiotherapy and pain management.
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Disc herniation: This is where the inner gel-like part of the disc herniates/bulges. Symptoms include a sharp pain that may refer down the arm which may also be accompanied with numbness and pins and needles. Treatment involves graded exercises, working on mobility and muscle strengthening. Recovery time is usually 6 weeks to 6 months.
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Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD): This occurs after a rapid and forceful back and forth movement from a car accident, a fall or a sport injury. Symptoms include muscular pain and tightness, dizziness, headaches and stiffness. Treatment involves decreasing pain, physiotherapy, strengthening, retraining proprioception, treating muscle spasm and tightness and improving range of motion. Recovery time could be up to 6 months.
