Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume 86, Issue 3 , Pages 505-511, March 2005

Spinal shrinkage and recovery in women with and without low back pain

  • Neil Edward Fowler, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Centre for Biophysical and Clinical Research into Human Movement, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests to Neil Edward Fowler, PhD, Dept of Exercise and Sport Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Hassal Rd, Alsager, Stoke-on-Trent ST7 2HL, UK
    • ,
  • Cintia de Lourdes Rodacki, MSc

      Affiliations

    • Centre for Biophysical and Clinical Research into Human Movement, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
    • Departamento de Educação Física, Centro Universitário Positivo, Curitiba, Brazil.
    • Departamento de Educação, Faculdades Dom Bosco, Fisica, Curitiba, Brazil.
    • ,
  • André Luiz Rodacki, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Centre for Biophysical and Clinical Research into Human Movement, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
    • Departamento de Educação Física, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.

Abstract 

Fowler NE, Rodacki CdeL, Rodacki AL. Spinal shrinkage and recovery in women with and without low back pain.

Objectives

To assess the behavior of the spinal column after loading in participants with and without low back pain (LBP) using spinal shrinkage measurements as a criterion and to analyze the relations among spinal shrinkage, recovery, and LBP.

Design

A case-control study with repeated measures.

Setting

University department with recruitment from primary care.

Participants

Convenience sample of 31 women (15 with chronic, nondisabling LBP [LBP group]; 16 with no history of low back disorders [control group]).

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main outcome measure

Changes in body length as determined by using a stadiometer.

Results

The spinal shrinkage induced by the exercise was similar (P>.05) in both groups (control group, mean ± standard deviation of −3.99±1.13mm; LBP group, −4.16±1.54mm). Differences in spinal length were found after 20 minutes in the recovery position (P<.05). The control group was able to recover stature to a greater extent (111.2%±13.6%) than the LBP group (P<.05), which was unable to regain stature beyond baseline (57.5%±25.1%). A negative correlation was found between regaining stature and low back pain (r=−.52, P<.05).

Conclusions

Participants with LBP were unable to recover stature to the same extent as controls. We suggest that LBP is related to the diminished ability to recover rather than to the magnitude of the spinal shrinkage imposed during the task.

Key words:  Low back pain , Rehabilitation , Spine

 

 No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit on the author(s) or on any organization with which the author(s) is/are associated.

PII: S0003-9993(04)01175-X

doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2004.07.352

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume 86, Issue 3 , Pages 505-511, March 2005

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