HPRC Physical Therapists use spine rehabilitation technique developed by Tom Boers, PT to relieve spinal pain
By Bordon Black, Ledger Enquirer
February 2005

“The smile and amazement we see on the patients’ faces when we finish their treatment; that’s why all of us are here,” said Mike Balkcum, PT. He is one of eight physical therapists working with HPRC’s (Human Performance & Rehabilitation Centers, Inc.)  Spine Rehabilitation Department. They have all trained extensively under Tom Boers, PT who treats many famous PGA and LPGA Tour golfers. The same care provided to those professional athletes is available to HPRC patients needing relief from back, neck or other musculoskeletal pain. 

The HPRC therapists were all attracted to Columbus by a therapy philosophy developed and taught by Boers called Arthopraxis. It is a specific manual technique, based on a Dutch manual therapy system, which addresses decreased motion in the spinal joints. “We move in a very specific physiologic motion to restore motion to the joint. We are not forcing or trying to overpower the patient, we do what the body would do normally but we do it manually with our hands,” explained Balkcum.  Boers added an analogy, “It’s better to open the door with a key rather than an ax.”  

According to the therapists, patients of all ages can benefit from the individualized treatments. A physician’s prescription is required to receive treatment.  First the patient is interviewed and given a comprehensive neurological and manual evaluation of his or her spinal movement. Based on the findings, a working diagnosis is made and a treatment plan is developed to restore function. On average, a therapist will spend 30 to 45 minutes with each patient working towards restoring normal movement of the spine.  Typically treatment requires only three to five visits. “We get to know the patient, how they move and how to work with them,” said Joanne O’Connor, PT who works at The Medical Center’s Spine Rehabilitation department.  

“We look at each patient as an individual. It is not a factory” Boers stressed, “It’s not ‘shake and bake.’”

Balkcum added, “We spend the time with them. We do not have tunnel vision in regards to looking just at the spine. We treat the whole person.”  

The education and instruction the therapists provide are as important as the therapy.  Our goal is to educate the patient as to how they got into their condition,” said Darryl McNeil, PT who works at the HPRC - St. Francis Medical Office Building location. Babette Smith, PT who treats patients at the HPRC – Spine Therapy Center in Main Street Village and at Doctors Hospital Spine Rehabilitation Department, added, “Patients tell me that when their back is acting up, they work on the exercises provided and the education sticks in their minds.” “We want independence for the patient,” Boers concluded.  

Each of the therapists has spent a minimum of three years studying Boers’ technique. “It is a difficult road, and takes much practice and work to fine tune their skills. We have a never ending quest for perfection,” Boers said and added, “There are no tricks. What we are doing is far more comprehensive and we expect our results to be superior because of the individual approach we take.”

 The technique itself is constantly evolving according to Balkcum who has worked with Boers for 13 years. “We are like an academic group. We consult with each other and we get together weekly for training.”  

“We all have patients we struggle with,” Boers said, “but as a team we have resources to give them the best possible care.” He went on to say that the training the therapists undergo can only be obtained at HPRC in Columbus and to be effective the therapists must continue to work together and evolve with the technique.  

In addition to the primary Spine Rehabilitation Center in Main Street Village the therapists practice from: The Medical Center, Doctor’s Hospital, and the HPRC - St. Francis Medical Office Building location.  Jill Schneipp, PT is another therapist trained by Tom Boers, PT who provides Spine rehabilitation out of HPRC’s clinics in Auburn and Opelika , Alabama .  James Mullennax, PT and Tim Sutton, PT are spine therapists trained by Tom Boers, PT working out of three HPRC clinics in Columbia , South Carolina . More information is available at www.hprc.net