non-specific chronic low back pain

Background: Low back pain is a common debilitating condition and a major clinical and socio-economic problem in the most industrialized and non-industrialized countries. Aim : The aim of this study was to compare the effect of motor control exercises and PNF exercises on postural control, strength, endurance and proprioception in women with chronic non-specific low back pain. Materials and Methods: Forty-five women with non-specific chronic low back pain selected by convenience sampling and randomly divided into three groups of 15 (motor control exercises, PNF exercises, and control group). The pre-test included posture control, flexor and extensor muscle strength of the trunk, trunk muscle endurance, and proprioception using Y balance, dynamometer, McGill, and Goniometer tests, respectively. The subjects of the experimental groups performed the training program for 8 weeks under the supervision of the instructor and according to the training protocol. Then, the post-test was performed. Paired t-test and analysis of covariance at the significance level of 0.05 were used to collect data. Results: The results showed that motor control and PNF exercises improved proprioception, postural control, endurance, and strength of trunk flexor and extensor muscles in women with non-specific chronic low back pain (α≤0.05). The results also showed that there was no significant difference between the effects of motor control and PNF exercises on proprioception, postural control, flexor muscle endurance, and extensor muscle strength (α≥0.05). Discussion: Motor control and PNF exercises are effective in improving the proprioception, postural control, endurance, and strength of flexor and extensor muscles of the trunk with non-specific chronic low back pain, and both training methods are effective in treating chronic non-specific low back pain.

Background : Low back pain (LBP) can cause changes in muscle activity in affected individuals, making it difficult for them to contract their muscles effectively and engage in physical activities. Manual chiropractic techniques have been proposed as a potential solution to improve muscle orientation and function in individuals with LBP. Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of manual techniques on maximum muscle activity electromyography, functional disability, and pain in women with non-specific chronic low back pain. Materials and Methods: Twenty women between the ages of 30 and 50, who had been experiencing NSCLBP for over three months with no history of spinal surgery or postural abnormalities, and were able to perform daily activities after providing consent, were recruited from a sports medicine clinic to participate in the study. In the pre-test, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used to assess functional disability, and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to assess pain levels. Additionally, the maximum muscle activity of the multifidus and lumbar quadratus lumborum (QL) was measured using EMG. Chiropractic manipulation techniques were then implemented in the experimental group, with three sessions per week for six weeks, within the clinic. The same tests were repeated in the post-test. The ANOVA test was used to compare the chiropractic and control groups, with a significance level of α ≤ 0.05. Results : The study results indicate that chiropractic manual techniques were effective in reducing lumbar EMG activity ( P = 0.0001), reducing pain index ( P = 0.002), and improving functional disability ( P = 0.001) significantly. Conclusion : The study findings suggest that six weeks of chiropractic manipulation techniques can induce a feeling of relaxation, reduce pain, and passively strengthen the lumbar muscles. These improvements in muscle condition and functional disability may lead to a reduction in pain experienced by individuals with NSCLBP.