Abstract
A 36-year-old patient with chronic low back stiffness was seen for physical therapy treatment for 5 sessions for outpatient physical therapy. Treatment was provided by a student physical therapist under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter with passive accessory intervertebral motion testing, the Fitzgerald test, the Squeeze test, the Slump Test, the Repetitive Arch Up Test, the Lower Extremity Functional Scale, the Patient Specific Functional Scale, and the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, and a plan of care was established based on the low back pain clinical practice guideline and treatment-based classification. Main goals for the patient were to improve range of motion, muscular endurance, decrease fear avoidance behavior, lower extremity functionality, and return to running. Main interventions used were manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, a home exercise program, and patient education. The patient improved range of motion and fear-avoidance belief. The patient was able to return to running during the course of treatment. The patient was discharged to continue living at home with a home exercise program.