Defining 90% Success When Treating MSK Conditions

Using Motion Specific Release (MSR) procedures and methodology, we’ve consistently achieved a success rate of over 90% in treating musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, a figure that exceeds industry standards.

Making this claim naturally leads to many questions about how we maintain and measure such success, and I’d like to address some of the most common ones:

Article Index:

1. How Do You Define a 90% Success Rate?

2. Comparison of Success Rates Across Professions

3. Why Don't Patients Respond to Care?

4. Have you always maintained such a high success rate?

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How Do You Define a 90% Success Rate?

Achieving a success rate of over 90% in treating musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions is a significant accomplishment that reflects the effectiveness of our clinical processes, integrative treatment programs, and multidisciplinary approach. This success rate is defined by two primary factors: reducing pain and improving functional abilities.

Pain Reduction:

Our high success rate indicates that most patients experience a substantial decrease in the intensity and frequency of their pain symptoms. This means that our treatments are highly effective in alleviating discomfort, allowing patients to enjoy a better quality of life.

Functional Improvement:

In addition to pain relief, a 90% success rate means that patients see marked improvements in their ability to perform daily activities and movements previously hindered by their MSK conditions. This encompasses short-term relief and long-term management, ensuring sustained physical health and functionality.

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Comparison of Success Rates Across Professions

When reviewing success rates in treating musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, success is generally defined by improving or resolving symptoms such as pain, mobility, and function, as reported by patients or measured through clinical assessments.

To provide context, here are the success rates of various professions and treatments for managing MSK conditions. These rates offer a benchmark against which our success can be measured, highlighting the effectiveness of different approaches in the field and the effectiveness of treatment integration.

Chiropractic Care

• Success Rate: 70% to 85%

• Sources: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), various studies on chiropractic effectiveness

Physiotherapy

• Success Rate: 70% to 85%

• Sources: Physiotherapy research studies, National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Massage Therapy

• Success Rate: 70% to 80%

• Sources: American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

Medical Doctors (General Practitioners)

• Corticosteroid Injections: 54% to 86% (depending on specific conditions such as tendinitis and osteoarthritis)

• General Non-Surgical Treatments: Varied, typically lower compared to targeted physical therapies

• Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), Cochrane reviews on musculoskeletal treatments

Acupuncture

• Success Rate: 70% to 90% (varies widely based on specific conditions and methodologies)

• Sources: Acupuncture research studies, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

Comparing these success rates shows that our success rate of over 90% is quite notable in musculoskeletal health. We are grateful for this outcome and understand that it directly relates to our team's dedication and integrative approach.

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Why Don't Patients Respond to Care?

Let’s be honest: achieving a success rate even close to 80% is impressive, but it's crucial to recognize that several common factors can undermine any treatment program.

As practitioners, it's vital to regularly assess these factors—acknowledging that we, too, can sometimes contribute to the challenges.

Here are some of the most frequent issues to consider in maintaining a high level of clinical success:

Patient Appointments & Compliance

Non-adherence to the recommended treatment schedule is a major factor in reduced outcomes. Missing appointments or ending treatment prematurely often leads to less-than-optimal results. Adhering to scheduled appointments is crucial for achieving the best outcomes.

In each of my MSK articles, I include a "Treatment Frequency Recommendation" section that is tailored to acute, subacute, and chronic conditions. It's essential that patients understand the reasoning behind our recommendations.

Equally important is the practitioner's role in:

• Advising about the appropriate number of treatments

• Setting and keeping review dates, and

• Establishing a clear game plan to ensure optimal results.

Clear communication between practitioner and patient is key to maintaining consistency and achieving long-term success. Without a structured approach, even the best treatment plan can fall short.

Exercise Compliance & Prescriptions:

Practitioners must ensure that a comprehensive rehabilitation plan—including mobility, strength, and proprioception—is in place. All aspects of the patient's recovery must be considered to provide the best chance for success.

Patient adherence to prescribed exercise regimens is critical for achieving optimal results. Neglecting exercises limits progress, and it is essential that patients follow through with their prescribed routines.

It’s the practitioner’s duty to develop a structured plan and thoroughly review it with the patient to ensure the best outcomes. Simply providing a set of exercises without a clear strategy or ongoing guidance can lead to suboptimal results.

Practitioners must regularly reassess the patient's progress and make adjustments as needed, ensuring the plan remains relevant and effective throughout the course of treatment. Without this diligence, even the most well-intentioned efforts can fall short.

Professional Referrals:

Professional referrals to specialists or additional therapies are often crucial for optimal recovery. When patients ignore these referrals, their progress can be significantly hindered.

However, the responsibility doesn’t rest solely on the patient; practitioners must ensure that these referrals are made promptly and appropriately. Delaying referrals or failing to collaborate with colleagues in related fields can impede a patient’s recovery and limit the effectiveness of the overall treatment plan.

Practitioners must recognize when a patient’s condition requires specialized care beyond their expertise. For instance, patients in severe pain may need medication to effectively engage in prescribed exercises, or those with sleep apnea may require intervention to address sleep deprivation that worsens musculoskeletal issues. Similarly, patients experiencing significant psychological distress often need immediate care to support their overall recovery.

Practitioners must be proactive in identifying these needs and making timely referrals.

The Solution:

Patients and practitioners must commit to a collaborative approach to avoid these common pitfalls.

• Practitioners should ensure that treatment plans are clear, comprehensive, and tailored to individual needs while emphasizing the importance of adhering to the prescribed schedule and exercises.

• Regular communication and timely referrals to specialists are crucial in addressing any underlying issues hindering progress.

We can significantly enhance the likelihood of achieving successful outcomes by staying proactive, maintaining open dialogue, and continuously refining our methods.

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Have You Always Maintained Such a High Success Rate?

This is an easy one—the answer is NO. Achieving our high success rate didn’t happen overnight. We haven't always been able to achieve such high levels of success. Over my 30 years in clinical practice, treating over 25,000 individual patients, we've continuously evolved and improved our methods, but we did not start that way.

Our journey has been one of constant learning and adaptation. I’ve been a perpetual student, attending and teaching numerous programs throughout these years. As many say, "The day you graduate from university is just the beginning." It would indeed be a sad day if graduation marked the peak of your learning.

Since those early days, I have strived for continual improvement, and to be honest, it has not always been easy. I’ve written over 160 articles on MSK conditions, continually updating them as new information comes to light. I’ve also been involved in publishing 10 books, some with more than one edition. Looking back, I realize that while we presented the best information available at the time, our understanding has deepened and expanded significantly. Thank goodness for that! Hopefully, this growth will continue for the rest of my career.

We are pleased with our current success rate of over 90%, but we remain committed to striving for even better results. In other words, I believe we can always do better. Continuous improvement is at the heart of what we do, and we are always seeking ways to enhance our patients' outcomes.

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References

1. Bronfort, G., Haas, M., Evans, R., Leininger, B., & Triano, J. (2010). Effectiveness of manual therapies: the UK evidence report. Chiropractic & Osteopathy, 18(1), 3. doi:10.1186/1746-1340-18-3

2. Haines, T., Gross, A. R., Goldsmith, C. H., Perry, L., & Burnie, S. J. (2009). Patient education for neck pain with or without radiculopathy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (4). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005106.pub2

3. Hayden, J. A., van Tulder, M. W., Malmivaara, A., & Koes, B. W. (2005). Meta-analysis: exercise therapy for nonspecific low back pain. Annals of Internal Medicine, 142(9), 765-775. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-142-9-200505030-00013

4. Furlan, A. D., Imamura, M., Dryden, T., & Irvin, E. (2008). Massage for low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (4). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001929.pub3

5. Arroll, B., & Goodyear-Smith, F. (2004). Corticosteroid injections for osteoarthritis of the knee: meta-analysis. BMJ, 328(7444), 869. doi:10.1136/bmj.38039.573970.7C

6. Vickers, A. J., Cronin, A. M., Maschino, A. C., Lewith, G., MacPherson, H., Foster, N. E., ... & Linde, K. (2012). Acupuncture for chronic pain: individual patient data meta-analysis. Archives of Internal Medicine, 172(19), 1444-1453. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2012.3654

7. Reid, R., & Barrington, A. (2005). Physiotherapy management of low back pain: a survey of current practice in private health settings. Physiotherapy Canada, 57(3), 214-222. doi:10.3138/ptc.57.3.214

8. Ernst, E., & Pittler, M. H. (1998). The effectiveness of acupuncture in treating acute dental pain: a systematic review. British Dental Journal, 184(9), 443-447. doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.4809612

9. Vernon, H. T., & Mior, S. A. (1991). The Neck Disability Index: a study of reliability and validity. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 14(7), 409-415.

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DR. BRIAN ABELSON, DC. - The Author

With over 30 years of clinical experience and a track record of treating more than 25,000 patients, Dr. Abelson developed the Motion Specific Release (MSR) Treatment Systems to provide powerful and effective solutions for musculoskeletal issues.

As an internationally best-selling author, he is passionate about sharing knowledge and techniques that can benefit the broader healthcare community. A perpetual student, Dr. Abelson continually integrates cutting-edge methods into the MSR programs, with a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary and patient-centered care.

Beyond his professional life, Dr. Abelson is a dedicated husband and father of two. He and his wife share a deep love for international travel, immersing themselves in different cultures, music, and the joy of connecting with people around the world. An Ironman triathlete and marathon runner for over 30 years, he is also a committed environmentalist with a passion for human rights. His practice, Kinetic Health, is based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

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