INTRODUCTION Biomechanical studies of spine range of motion (RoM) and electromyography (EMG) typically focus on the lumbar region. The thoracic spine remains a topic less investigated in the literature, especially in terms of complex/relative motion coupled with EMG patterns. Research on complex motion patterns of the thoracic spine is directed towards kinematic measures only [1, 2] and usually...

The aim of the study was to compare the effect ofwater-based exercise in thermal mineral water versus land-based exercise therapy on the lumbar spine range of motion and physical disability in adult patients with chronic low back pain. Out of 72 patients hospitalized for inpatient treatment in a special rehabilitation hospital, 36 patients performed a 3-week standardized program of group water-...

MRI is commonly used to evaluate lumbar spine abnormalities in patients with symptoms such as lower back pain, leg pain, paresthesia, weakness in the legs, and claudication. Occasionally, these symptoms are caused by pathologic lesions in the cervical or thoracic spine and mistaken for those caused by lumbar spine lesions. Some pathologic lesions in the cervical or thoracic spine may be serious...

The spine is a long and slender column which supports the upper body. In the 1960s, the compressive force acting on the spine estimated by the intradiscal pressure measured in vivo was found to exceed 2600N. However the ligamentous lumbar spine is known to be unstable when subjected to compressive loads of 88 N. It is generally agreed that the ligamentous spine itself is unstable but can be sta...

Spine stability is ensured through isometric coactivation of the torso muscles; however, these same muscles are used cyclically to assist ventilation. Our objective was to investigate this apparent paradoxical role (isometric contraction for stability or rhythmic contraction for ventilation) of some selected torso muscles that are involved in both ventilation and support of the spine. Eight, as...

CONTEXT Isolated lumbar paraspinal muscle fatigue causes lower extremity and postural control deficits. OBJECTIVE To describe the change in body position during gait after fatiguing lumbar extension exercises in persons with recurrent episodes of low back pain compared with healthy controls. DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING Motion analysis laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Tw...

The rehabilitation practices encounter multifaceted problems inherent in the current context of elderly with chronic low back pain (LBP). We addressed a particular problem using an interdisciplinary co-design research practice that consists three phases: exploration, patient-expert interaction, and patient-centered rehabilitation. Using empirical study integrated this practice, we investigated ...