Jason Beneciuk
DPT, Physical Therapy, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
BS, Biology, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey

Student Profile:
Jason Beneciuk received his BS in Biology from Richard Stockton College of New Jersey in 1996 and a DPT in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2002. He completed a one year Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy in 2006 through the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists, and the American Physical Therapy Association. Jason entered the RSD program in 2007 and is also enrolled in the Public Health MPH program where his area of concentration is epidemiology. Prior to joining UF as a graduate student he practiced as a clinician in various outpatient, orthopaedic clinics for Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville, FL. He was the recipient of a 2008 College of Public Health and Health Professions Graduate Research Grant. Jason also published two peer-reviewed papers and two abstracts under supervision with Dr. Steven George (his primary mentor). His research interests include: 1) neurophysiological mechanisms of manual therapy in musculoskeletal conditions and 2) psychosocial subgrouping in patients with low back pain.

Research Project Description:
Manual therapies are commonly used by physical therapists to treat musculoskeletal pain conditions, yet their mechanisms are unknown. Manual therapies have the potential to positively influence how the nervous system processes pain at the spinal cord level and the neurobiology of manual therapies has recently been highlighted as a research priority (NCCAM, 2008). A specific theory investigated by University of Florida researchers suggests that manual therapies, such as spinal manipulation (SMT) and neural mobilization (NM) have a direct neurophysiological effect on pain perception through dorsal horn mediated inhibition. At UF Jason has investigated if manual therapy alters temporal summation (amplification of c-fiber mediated pain perception) of thermal stimuli in human subjects. His pilot work has demonstrated that decreased temporal summation is observed in response to an upper-extremity neural mobilization technique (J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, in press) suggesting its potential as a pain inhibiting intervention. Jason also is investigating the relationship between psychosocial factors and the progression of chronic low back pain. The ability to detect these factors early in the screening process may facilitate decision-making processes related to patient management.

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