Why is MST more likely to succeed than other therapies?

The spine is an unstable part of our body. It is stabilised by our "muscle corset". If we avoid or stop using muscles of the spine they will atrophy. Gradually, this causes a "deconditioning" syndrome (weakness) of the spine. In the end, the pain means that our muscle corset can no longer provide the spine with the support it needs. Spinal joint dysfunction is a desperate attempt by the spine to stabilise itself.

In order to strengthen the deep spinal muscles, we need to isolate these muscles and then target them. Previous therapies were unable to do this and so were unsuccessful. In addition, psychosocial problems and anxieties can also influence the success or failure of treatment for back pain. Medical Strengthening Therapy, which is both supervised and active, is therefore particularly effective for this group of patients. The strengthening exercises "operationalize” the message that pain does not necessarily mean "harm" and that functionality can be improved despite pain.

Another advantage of Medical Strengthening Therapy (MST) over gym-based exercises is that MST uses a measured resistance and so exercises can be done safely and with a load that is not harmful to joints.

Three quality criteria contribute to the success of therapy - all three apply in GMKT facilities:

  • The MedX system is used for diagnosis and therapy. According to Professor Dr. G. Tidow, Institute for Sports Science at the Humboldt University in Berlin "this system comes out best overall when compared with other test/training machines anywhere else in the world.  
  • A specially trained doctor plans the therapy and monitors its results. This ensures that therapy is subject to critical review and used only in accordance with current international standards and our guidelines. It also ensures that account is taken of somato-psychosocial factors. For more information see our Guidelines.
  • Therapy sessions are given by specially trained medical personnel working under the supervision of the doctor.

For more information please see: Technical requirements for precise diagnosis of lumbar muscle function.

Other questions: