Patient History

The patient is a 33-year-old male professional basketball player in the China Professional Basketball League and the US National Basketball Association.

Approximately four years ago, he was experiencing thoracic and lumbar pain after overtraining. He tried rest, physical therapy, and NSAIDS in China, which helped a little. He could train and play basketball, but it still affected his quality of play.

He came to the US to train and received care to help with his back pain. However, his symptoms increased, including numbness, tingling, and weakness in the lower extremities. He received chiropractic treatment and massage at another clinic, which helped temporarily. He then came to our clinic for a second opinion and to explore treatment options.

With initial intake and further questioning, he related that his feet have been hurting for years, and his left knee is sore.

Initial Exam Findings

81" tall. 234 pounds. BP 108/83. P 84. Temp 97.7 F
Palpation showed segmental dysfunction at T12-L1, L4-5
and bilateral SI joints
The Iliopsoas was bilaterally tight and weak
L/S ROM nearly full, dull ache in low back with full flexion
and extension
L/S paraspinals hypertonic with trigger points in the QL
and gluteus muscles
Neuro exam normal
Foot Levelers scan of weight bearing status. Left weight
bearing 53.7% Right 46.3%
Left knee internal rotation, low left ilium and low right
shoulder. Anterior head carriage.
MRI in 2018 showed L4-5, L5-S1 disc bulge and DDD.

Clinical Impressions

Low Back Pain
Spasm of Low Back
Myalgia
Degenerative Disk Disease
Left knee pain
Plantar fasciitis

Treatment Plan/Methodology

Treatment included:

• Chiropractic care to the L/S, left knee and feet
• Acupuncture for pain
• Massage to low back and pelvis
• Flexion distraction for low back
• PRP to left knee
• InMotion® custom orthotics from Foot Levelers

Addressing the foundational imbalance of the collapsed arches was the key treatment that made all the other treatments synergize.

Results/Response to Care

The low back, pelvis, left knee and foot pain improved greatly and he was able to return to basketball training after three months. He was able to run, jump and the left knee felt more stable. Low back pain improved by 90% and did not flare up during hard workouts.

Patient Comments

The patient was very satisfied with the care he received and the discovery of how the breakdown of his feet were the cause of the degeneration of the low back and HNP and the left knee and feet problems. He was able to return to playing professional basketball in China and performed well despite his age.

Discussion of Results

Many times, patients present with chronic problems, and the treatment is only guided to address the pain. Looking at the entire history and evaluating the whole person, many times it reveals that there is a foundational problem that is affecting the rest of the body. Not addressing the foundational aspect overlooks a key cause of many of these problems but when identified and corrected creates a whole person response with improvement of function as well as pain resolution.