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Of Muscles, Posture, and Back Pain

Researchers in England say spinal shrinkage may be linked to low back pain from disc problems. Discs are largely made up of fluid. When fluid is pushed out of the disc there is a decrease in height and loss of stature called spinal shrinkage.

Less disc height puts more force and pressure on the lumbar spine. The paraspinal muscles along the spine try to help by contracting to support the spine. When this happens stature recovery is delayed and back pain is worse.

These conclusions were made from a study comparing two groups of 20 people each. The first group had a history of chronic low back pain (CLBP). The second group was normal adults of similar ages and gender without CLBP.

A special device called a stadiometer was used to measure height while in a relaxed standing posture. Everyone was measured in the morning while discs are at their fullest height. Electrical activity of the paraspinal muscles was measured. Then each person walked on a treadmill at his or her own pace while wearing a weighted vest. The goal was to compress the spine.

Measurements were repeated after the treadmill walking and again after a period of rest. Stature loss, stature recovery, and paraspinal muscle activity were compared between the two groups before and after spinal loading.

Results showed increase muscle activity after exercise in the CLBP group. There was a slower recovery of spinal height. This put increased pressure on the spine. The CLBP group reported more pain and discomfort in the low back after walking. The authors say increased spinal loading of this type may cause more damage in the long term.

It's not clear that changing paraspinal muscle activity will improve stature recovery and reduce back pain. More study is needed to find the links between these factors.

References: Emma L. Healey, BSc, et al. Raised Paraspinal Muscle Activity Reduces Rate of Stature Recovery after Loaded Exercise in Individuals with Chronic Low Back Pain. In Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. April 2005. Vol. 86. No. 4. Pp. 710-715.

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