Physical Therapy Approach
to Low Back Pain Lumbar Stabilization
Stacey Franz, DO, MSPT
Medical Director,
NorthEast Spine & Sports Medicine
Disclosures
• I have no relevant financial disclosures
How our core supplies stability
• Promote muscle stiffness to control segmental
translation
– segmental stability is dependent on recruitment of
the deep local stability muscles
• Anticipatory recruitment prior to functional loading
provides protective stiffness
• Proximal stability for movement of extremities
• Generates force to control, limit range of motion
– Concentric action through the range of motion
– isometric action to hold position
– Eccentrically control the return
Anatomy of the Core –
Lumbar Muscles
• Muscles
– Transversospinalis group
• Rotatores, Interspinales, Intertransversarii, Multifidi
– Erector spinae
• Iliocostalis, Longissimus, Spinalis
– Latissmus dorsi
– Quadratus lumborus
• Physiology
– Poor mechanical contribution to movement production
– Primarily Type I fibers = segmental stabilization
– Optimal for proprioceptive feedback
*Multifidi most important muscle in this group*
Anatomy of the Core –
Abdominal Muscles
• Muscles
– Transversus abdominus
– External obliques
– Internal obliques
• Physiology
– Provide sagittal, frontal & transverse plane stabilization
– Transversus abdominus
• increases intra-abdominal pressure = dynamic stab.
against rotational, translational stress
• Necessary for anticipatory control
– Activates prior to movement of the limbs or trunk to
increase stability of the spine, prevent unwanted
trunk movement
• Activity contributes to spinal control
– Attach to thoracolumbar fascia = add tension w/
contraction
Cresswell 1994, Cresswell 1992, Hodges 1999
Anatomy of the Core –
Hip Muscles
• Muscles
– Psoas
– Glut medius
– Glut maximus
– Hamstrings
• Physiology
– Psoas tightness can be problematic
• can lead to reciprocal inhibition of glut maximus,
multifidus, erector spinae, internal oblique, TA
– lead to Extensor mechanism dysfunction
• increase shear and compressive forces at L4-L5
junction
Anatomy of the Core –
Hip Muscles (continued)
• Physiology
– Glut medius weakness
• increase frontal and transversus plane stress at
patella-femoral joint and tibiofemoral joint
– synergistic dominance of TFL & quadratus
lumborum
– Glut maximus
• Decreased activity can lead to pelvic instability,
decreased neuromuscular control
What happens to the core when
we have low back pain?
• Inefficient muscular stabilization
– Pain leads to inhibition of muscle control
– Motor control deficit associated with delayed timing or
recruitment deficiency
– Transversus abdominus shows decreased ability to
contract in patients with recurrent low back pain
• Impairs our anticipatory control
• Impairs our spinal control
Stokes & Young 1984, Hides et al. 1994, Hodges & Richardson 1996, Hodges 1997,
Ferreira 2004, Cresswell 1992, Hodges 1999
What happens to the core when
we have low back pain? (continued)
• Weakness and muscle fatigue
– Multifidi atrophy in patients with chronic LBP
– In unilateral acute/ subacute LBP, there is 31% side to
side difference with atrophy of affected side - 3% in
controls
– Decreased endurance of extensors
– Abnormal flexor to extensor strength ratios
– Decrease in muscle integrity results in lack of control of
segmental translation
Richardson 1999, Jorgensen 1987, Ebenbichler 2001, McGill 2002, Siolie 2001
What happens to the core when
we have low back pain? (continued)
• Decreased spine proprioception
– Multifidi atrophy in those with LBP
• Proprioception partly from multifidi
– Difficulty repositioning into neutral spine posture
• Loss of control of neutral joint position
– Postural control shown to be altered in patients with
chronic LBP
• Single leg stance balance
• Postural stability tests
– Unexpected balance challenges
• Trunk perturbation
Bogduk 1997, Hides 2004, O’Sullivan 2003, Ebenbichler 2001, Mok 2004, Wilder 1996
How Does Core Stabilization help
Low Back Pain
• Multifidi activation improves pain in acute & chronic LBP
– Multifidi dysfunction does not correct automatically
when pain resolves but specific training can correct
dysfunction
– Segmental stabilization training with co-contraction of
Transversus abdominus and Multifidi
• Abdominal bracing training stiffens the spine and
improves stability
• Exercise, in general, beneficial for low back
– Slows degenerative conditions
– Enhances nutritional benefits to spine
Hides 1996, O’Sullivan 1997, Grenier 2007
Lumbar Stabilization Concepts
• What does it entail:
• Recruitment of proximal trunk & girdle muscles
• Ability of agonists, antagonists, synergists, to work
•
efficiently & interdependently
Facilitates balanced muscular functioning of the entire
kinetic chain
• How does it translate functionally:
• Enhances neuromuscular control/ efficiency throughout
•
•
•
the kinetic chain
Optimizes postural alignment & dynamic postural control
Affect arthrokinematics around lumbo-pelvic-hip complex
Promote dynamic strength
Lumbar Stab. Concepts (continued)
• Neutral vs. Dynamic Stabilization
• “Neutral spine stabilization” introduced in 1980s
– Position of comfort where muscular support
reduces stress on painful structures
• “Dynamic stabilization” introduced in 1990s
– more functional; multi-planar requiring
–
acceleration & stabilization
interest increased after Joe Montana returns to
football after lumbar spine surgery
Assessment of the Core
• Prone instability test
• Prone extension endurance test
• Side bridge endurance test (quadratus lumborum
endurance strength)
• Straight leg raise
• Pelvic bridging
• Leg lowering test (lower abdominal strength)
• Trunk curl
• Hip external rotation strength
• Modified Trendelenburg test (single leg squat with
observation in frontal plane)
• Single leg squat in sagittal plane
• Single leg squat in transverse plane
Akuthota et al 2008, Hicks 2005
Program Prescription
• Be mindful of pain generators
– Flexion vs. Extension vs. Neutral program
• Exercises that span the spectrum of muscle contraction
– Concentric (force production)
– Eccentric (force reduction)
– Isometric (dynamic stabilization)
• Exercises that span body positioning
– Supine
– Prone
– Quadruped
– Sitting
Program Prescription (continued)
• Progression should include additional reps rather than
increasing duration of hold
– Can perform 30 reps with 8 sec hold
• Should challenge the patient by progression through
function continuum
– Slow to fast
– Simple to complex
– Low force to high force
– Eyes open to eyes closed
– Static to dynamic
• Quality, not Quantity
– Poor technique and neuromuscular control results in
poor motor patterns & stabilization
Akuthota 2008
Level 1 - Stabilization
Pelvic tilts
• Supine
– Diaphragmatic breathing
– Abdominal bracing
– Pelvic tilts
– Arm lift
– Leg lifts
– Opposite arm lift/ leg lift
– Marching
– Bridging
– w/ arms at sides
– w/ arms at 90
degrees
– w/ marching
Bridging
(http://www.netfit.co.uk)
Level 1 – Stabilization (continued)
• Prone
– Finding neutral
– Glut sets
– Arm lift
– Leg extension
– Opposite arm lift/ leg lift
Opposite arm/ leg
(http://priorityhealthchiropractic.com)
• Quadruped
– Cat camel to find neutral
– Rocking to find neutral forward/ backward
– Single arm raise
– Single leg extension
– Opposite arm raise/ leg extension
• Kneeling
– Finding neutral
Level 1 – Stabilization (continued)
• Sitting
– Finding neutral
– Single arm lift
– Single leg extension
– Marching
– Opposite arm/ leg lift (leg extended)
– Opposite arm/ leg lift (marching)
• Standing
– finding neutral
– Wall slide
Wall slides
Level 2 – Stabilization
• Supine
– Partial, diagonal curls
– Single leg lowering
– Opposite arm/ leg lowering
– Bridging with leg extension
– Bridging with one leg
Bridging w/ leg extension
• Prone
– Push ups against wall
– Push ups with feet farther apart
– Push ups on chair
– Push ups on floor
(www.arthritis.org)
Level 2 – Stabilization (continued)
• Quadruped
– Alternate arm/ leg with cuff weights
– One arm reach
• Kneeling
– Rock with arms and weights overhead
– With side kicks
– Push-pull with sticks
Kneel w/ side kick
– Lifting up and down
(http://www.studiopilates.com)
– Half kneeling to
standing
• Sitting
– Leg lifts
– Opposite arm/ leg lift
Level 2 – Stabilization (continued)
• Standing
– Hip flexion with weight cuffs
– Double arm overhead with weight cuffs
– Lunges
– Push-pull with sick (up and down)
– Ball pass vs light medicine ball use
http://www.ironedge.com.au/
Level 3 – Stabilization
• Supine
– Double leg lowering with 5 lb cuff weight
– Dead bug with arm/ leg cuff weights
– Bridging with calves on ball/ upper back
– Bridging with feet on ball
• Prone
– 2 Arms with 1 leg together
– Trunk extension
• Standing
– Push/ pull with sticks
www.ilovefitness.com
Additional Exercise
• Level 4
– Sport-specific training
• Pilates
– effective option for core stabilization
• Individuals performing pilates had better lumbopelvic control of the transversus abdominus
than those who perform regular abdominal
exercises or no abdominal exercises
Summary of Citations
Summary of Citations
•
Akuthota V, Ferriero TM, Fredericson M. Core stability exercise
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•
Bogduk N: Clinical Anatomy of the Lumbar Spine and Sacrum.
Edinburgh, Churchill Livingstone, 1997
•
Carman DJ, Blanton PL, Biggs NL. Electromyographic study of the
anterolateral abdominal musculature utilising indwelling electrodes.
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•
Cresswell AG, Grundstrom H, Thorstensson A. Observations on
intraabdominal pressure and patterns ofabdominal intra-muscular
activity in man. Acta Physiologica Scandinavica 1992;144(4): 409–18.
•
Cresswell AG, Oddsson L, Thorstensson A: The influence of sudden
perturbations on trunk muscle activity and intraabdominal pressure while
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•
Ebenbichler GR, Oddsson LI, Kollmitzer J, et al: Sensorymotor control of
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Summary of Citations (continued)
•
Ferreira PH, Ferreira ML, Hodges PW: Changes in recruitment of the
abdominal muscles in people with low back pain: Ultrasound
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•
Flint MM, Gudgell J. Electromyographic study ofabdominal muscular
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•
Grenier SG, McGill SM. Quantification of lumbar stability by using 2
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Herrington L, Davies R. The influence of Pilates training on the ability to
contract the Transversus Abdominis muscle in asymptomatic individuals.
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Hicks GE, Fritz JM, Delitto A, McGill SM. Preliminary development of a
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Hides J: Paraspinal mechanism and support of the lumbar spine, in:
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Summary of Citations (continued)
•
Hides JA, Richardson CA, Jull GA: Multifidus muscle recovery is not
automatic after resolution of acute, first-episode low back pain. Spine
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Jorgensen K, Nicolaisen T: Trunk extensor endurance: Determination
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quiet standing is reduced in people with low back pain. Spine
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•
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Pain: Scientific Basis and Clinical Approach. Edinburgh, Churchill
Livingstone, 1999, pp 21–40
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•
Richardson CA, Jull GA, Hodges PW, Hides JA. Therapeutic exercise
for spinal segemental stabilization in low back pain. Scientific basis and
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