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:
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.
Reproducing This Success Rate:
With the proper training, we have found that most practitioners can achieve this high level of success in treating musculoskeletal conditions. This is achieved by incorporating multimodal, diverse treatment methods and embracing an individualized approach to patient care.
Success Comparisons
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)
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.
It’s vital for practitioners to 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.
Have You Always Achieved 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; honestly, 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 then, our understanding has deepened and expanded significantly. Thank goodness for that! Hopefully, this growth will continue for the rest of my career.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our success in treating musculoskeletal conditions reflects a steadfast commitment to an integrative, multimodal, and professionally collaborative approach.
This level of success is not the result of any single method but is achieved through comprehensive, patient-centred care that integrates a variety of therapies and expert input. Our primary focus has always been understanding each patient’s unique needs and working together to deliver the most effective treatment.
We also acknowledge that, despite our best efforts, not every patient will achieve the desired outcomes. Variables such as patient compliance, the timing of referrals, and the complexities of individual health conditions are all critical factors in the healing process.
We approach these challenges with humility and compassion, always striving to refine our methods and enhance the care we provide. Our ultimate goal is to support each patient on their path to improved health, fully aware that our dedication can significantly impact their well-being.
References
Arroll, B., Goodyear-Smith, F., & Thompson, M. G. (2005). Corticosteroid injections for osteoarthritis of the knee: a meta-analysis. BMJ, 330(7501), 1183.
Brosseau, L., Wells, G. A., Finestone, H. M., Egan, M., Dubouloz, C. J., & Smith, C. A. (2001). Clinical practice guidelines for the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain in primary care: a systematic review. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 38(4), 489-499.
Cherkin, D. C., Sherman, K. J., Avins, A. L., Erro, J. H., Ichikawa, L., Barlow, W. E., ... & Kaptchuk, T. J. (2009). A randomized trial comparing acupuncture, simulated acupuncture, and usual care for chronic low back pain. Archives of Internal Medicine, 169(9), 858-866.
Chou, R., & Huffman, L. H. (2007). Medications for acute and chronic low back pain: a review of the evidence for an American Pain Society/American College of Physicians clinical practice guideline. Annals of Internal Medicine, 147(7), 505-514.
Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Diego, M., Fraser, M., & Shapiro, D. (2007). Massage therapy effects on depression and somatic symptoms in chronic pain patients: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 63(4), 347-360.
Hayden, J. A., van Tulder, M. W., Malmivaara, A., & Koes, B. W. (2005). Exercise therapy for treatment of non-specific low back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (3).
Moyer, C. A., Rounds, J., & Hannum, J. W. (2004). A meta-analysis of massage therapy research. Psychological Bulletin, 130(1), 3-18.
Rubinstein, S. M., Terwee, C. B., Assendelft, W. J. J., de Boer, M. R., & van Tulder, M. W. (2013). Spinal manipulative therapy for chronic low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (2).
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.
Walker, B. F., French, S. D., Grant, W., & Green, S. (2010). A Cochrane review of combined chiropractic interventions for low-back pain. Spine, 35(2), E469-E476.
Disclaimer:
The content on the MSR website, including articles and embedded videos, serves educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice; only certified MSR practitioners should practice these techniques. By accessing this content, you assume full responsibility for your use of the information, acknowledging that the authors and contributors are not liable for any damages or claims that may arise.
This website does not establish a physician-patient relationship. If you have a medical concern, consult an appropriately licensed healthcare provider. Users under the age of 18 are not permitted to use the site. The MSR website may also feature links to third-party sites; however, we bear no responsibility for the content or practices of these external websites.
By using the MSR website, you agree to indemnify and hold the authors and contributors harmless from any claims, including legal fees, arising from your use of the site or violating these terms. This disclaimer constitutes part of the understanding between you and the website's authors regarding the use of the MSR website. For more information, read the full disclaimer and policies in this website.
DR. BRIAN ABELSON, DC. - The Author
With over 30 years of clinical practice and experience in treating over 25,000 patients with a success rate of over 90%, Dr. Abelson created the powerful and effective Motion Specific Release (MSR) Treatment Systems.
As an internationally best-selling author, he aims to educate and share techniques to benefit the broader healthcare community.
A perpetual student himself, Dr. Abelson continually integrates leading-edge techniques into the MSR programs, with a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary care. His work constantly emphasizes patient-centred care and advancing treatment methods. His practice, Kinetic Health, is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Join Us at Motion Specific Release
Enroll in our courses to master innovative soft-tissue and osseous techniques that seamlessly fit into your current clinical practice, providing your patients with substantial relief from pain and a renewed sense of functionality. Our curriculum masterfully integrates rigorous medical science with creative therapeutic paradigms, comprehensively understanding musculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment protocols.
Join MSR Pro and start tapping into the power of Motion Specific Release. Have access to:
Protocols: Over 250 clinical procedures with detailed video productions.
Examination Procedures: Over 70 orthopedic and neurological assessment videos and downloadable PDF examination forms for use in your clinical practice are coming soon.
Exercises: You can prescribe hundreds of Functional Exercises Videos to your patients through our downloadable prescription pads.
Article Library: Our Article Index Library with over 45+ of the most common MSK conditions we all see in clinical practice. This is a great opportunity to educate your patients on our processes. Each article covers basic condition information, diagnostic procedures, treatment methodologies, timelines, and exercise recommendations. All of this is in an easy-to-prescribe PDF format you can directly send to your patients.
Discounts: MSR Pro yearly memberships entitle you to a significant discount on our online and live courses.
Integrating MSR into your practice can significantly enhance your clinical practice. The benefits we mentioned are only a few reasons for joining our MSR team.
Comments