Low Back Pain & Reverse Ergonomics: Fit the Person to the Job?

Evolving ergonomics? McGill SM. Ergonomics. 2009 Jan;52(1):80-6. Abstract The theme developed in this position paper follows the current evolution of injury prevention in the backs of workers. Job change or ‘fitting the task to the person’ has come far, but will probably not result in zero injury rates. This is because the cause of injury … Read more

Reversing Disc Protrusions, McKenzie Mostly Correct in Theory

Disc prolapse: evidence of reversal with repeated extension. Scannell JP, McGill SM. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2009 Feb 15;34(4):344-50. AbstractSTUDY DESIGN:A basic science study that used a porcine cervical spine model to produce disc prolapse subsequently exposed to an extension protocol.OBJECTIVE:This study investigated whether extension or combined extension and side flexion could move the displaced portion … Read more

How to Herniate a Disc, and How Not to

Intervertebral disc herniation: studies on a porcine model exposed to highly repetitive flexion/extension motion with compressive force. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2001 Jan;16(1):28-37. Callaghan JP, McGill SM. AbstractOBJECTIVE:To determine whether repeated motion with low magnitude joint forces, and flexion/extension moments consistently produce herniation in a non-degenerated, controlled porcine spine motion segment.DESIGN:Combined loading (flexion/extension motions and … Read more

McKenzie Method, Diagnosis No Better Than Treatment

McKenzie lumbar classification: inter-rater agreement by physical therapists with different levels of formal McKenzie postgraduate training. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2014 Feb 1;39(3):E182-90.  Werneke MW, Deutscher D, Hart DL, Stratford P, Ladin J, Weinberg J, Herbowy S, Resnik L. Abstract STUDY DESIGN: Inter-rater chance-corrected agreement study. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to examine the association between … Read more

Abdominal Hollowing, Core / Spine Stabilization, and Low Back Pain

This study explains a lot with regards to differential, and failure to differentiate exercise outcomes in people with low back pain. Effects of abdominal stabilization maneuvers on the control of spine motion and stability against sudden trunk perturbations. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2007 Oct;17(5):556-67. Vera-Garcia FJ1, Elvira JL, Brown SH, McGill SM. Abstract Much discussion exists … Read more

Preventing Low Back Pain on Airline Flights

Lessons from this study make up what I think is about a third of the solution to effectively treating low back pain preventing future episodes of back pain.  That is, to avoid prolonged damaging posture particularly in spine flexion. Using a pneumatic support to correct sitting posture for prolonged periods: a study using airline seats. Ergonomics. … Read more

Low Back Pain: Cyclic and Static Spine Flexion Both Bad for the Back

Human lumbar spine creep during cyclic and static flexion: creep rate, biomechanics, and facet joint capsule strain. Ann Biomed Eng. 2005 Mar;33(3):391-401. From the study: Abstract There is a high incidence of low back pain (LBP) associated with occupations requiring sustained and/or repetitive lumbar flexion (SLF and RLF, respectively), which cause creep of the viscoelastic … Read more

Low Back Pain. Free Weights Good, Weight Machines and Stretching Bad — It’s Science.

Are flexibility and muscle-strengthening activities associated with a higher risk of developing low back pain? J Sci Med Sport. 2013 Aug 8 The researchers followed 4610 adults and compared their exercise program and incidence of low back pain over an average of 4.9 years. Quotes from the study:“CONCLUSIONS: In this sample, stretching or use of … Read more