• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.83-95
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• 1993

In out-patient clinic, it seems to be common that most back pain arise from muscular origins rather than from skeletal origins. Most physicians have wished to diagnose lower back pain from the radiologic findings only. From clinical experiences and anatomical studies, I have gotten a different opinion from common sense about backaches. If I met a patient who had lower back pain around the posterior superior iliac crest(P.S.I.C.) area, I would had to search a trigger point in the erector spinae muscles at the level of thoraco-lumber junction rather than at the level of the painful site. It is why that sensory innervation over the posterior superior iliac crest area is the posterior primary branch of T12 spinal nerve running down through the erector spinae muscles. Pain on the iliac crest area is supposedly due to hyperirritability of the sensory nerve distributing to this area. Hyperirritability of the posterior primary branch of $T_{12}$ spinal nerve may be due to the spasm of the longissimus thoracis muscle in the erector spinae muscles at the level of the thoraco-lumbar junction. So finally, I would like to insist that spasmolytic treatment on the muscle at the level of the thoraco-lumbar junction would be better for pain relief around P.S.I.C. than treatment at the painful site only.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.198-206
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• 2022

Objective: This study was to investigate the effect of a lumbar stabilization exercise program accompanied by proprioceptive stimulation in women in their 20s with low back pain. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: A total of 30 women in their 20s with low back pain were selected and randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group. Both groups performed a lumbar stabilization exercise program, and only the experimental group applied for a stabilization exercise program with proprioceptive stimulation. The exercise program lasted 60 minutes at a time, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks. The measurement tools used were the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index (K-ODI), the lumbar alignment, and the transverse abdominis(TrA) muscle thickness and contraction ratio. Results: Both groups showed statistically significant differences in NRS, K-ODI, and muscle thickness before and after the experiment (p<0.05). The lumbar alignment and contraction ratio at the time of contraction of TrA in the experimental group was statistically significantly increased, and there was also a significant difference in the difference between the two groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: The lumbar stabilization exercise program with proprioceptive stimulation reduced pain, improved low back pain induced dysfunction, and increased TrA muscle thickness and contraction ratio. Therefore, it can be an effective therapeutic exercise program for women in their 20s with LBP.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.75-85
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• 2022

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of intensively complex physical therapy program on pain, range of motion (ROM) and muscle function in traumatic low back injury by industrial accident. Design: Prospective study Methods: Eight patients with traumatic low back injury by industrial accident participated in this study. They were treated the intensively complex physical therapy program including daily 60 minutes therapist supervised physical therapy at 5 times a week and 30 minutes manual therapy at 5 times a week in 12 weeks. Evaluation was performed before the commencement of the training and again 4, 8 and 12 weeks. There were measured Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for evaluating pain, ROM of trunk, and isometric muscle strength of trunk, core muscle endurance, neuromuscular control ability for evaluating muscle function. Results: NRS was significantly improved according to time (p<0.05). ROM of extension and rotation, isometric muscle strength of trunk and hip, core muscle endurance and neuromuscular control ability were significantly improved according to time (p<0.05). Conclusion: We could confirm the superiority effect of intensively complex physical therapy program on pain, ROM of trunk and muscle function in traumatic low back pain with industrial accident.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.665-680
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to develop the construction process of orthopedic compression garments (OCG) for balancing of the left and right lumbar muscle power and strength to prevent low back pain. One male subject having low back pain was involved for investigating of the lumbar muscle power. EMG (Telemyo DTS2, Noraxon, U.S.A) was measured with/ without 3 types of waist assistant belt around the waist area of the subject. Based on the electromyogram value of left and right body, OCG were constructed as follows. Firstly, stretchable t-shirts type with supportive waist belt was selected for the convenience of wearing and laundering the OCG. The design lines of the front and back waist parts were created depending on the anatomy of the torso. Secondly, 3D pattern was developed using 3D Clo, RapidForm XOR, 2C-AN, and Yuka CAD program to increase the fit of the OCG. Finally, stretchable power-net was layered as linings in two ways, a single lining and double layered linings, and evaluated measuring lumbar muscle EMG by five subjects with low back pain. As the results, they were effective to balance the left and right lumbar muscle power and strength. Also the OCG with the double layered power-net lining was superior to the one layered lining in terms of fit and comfort.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.66-75
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• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of muscle energy technique and stretching on pain and pressure pain fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire in patients with chronic back pain aged 30~40 years. Design: Pretest-Posttest design: single blind. Methods: The subjects of this study were 30, 22 males and 8 females between the ages of 30 and 40 with chronic back pain. Each group consists of three groups of 10 people. Changes in back pain were observed using Korean version of Oswestry Disability Index (K-ODI), visual analogue scale (VAS), and fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ). And the change in tenderness was observed using digital pressure statistics. Changes between groups after 3 weeks were compared with those before the experiment using one way ANOVA to determine the changes after 3 weeks. And the change within the group was investigated using the paired t-test. Results: As a result of the experiment, there were significant differences in the group changes in K-ODI, VAS, FABQ, and pressure pain (p<0.05). And there was a significant difference in all items after 3 weeks compared to before the experiment (p<0.05). Conclusion: In patients with chronic back pain, the muscle energy technique and stretching gave a significant difference in pain and pressure pain, fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire changes. And this result suggests the possibility of providing basic data for future research and clinical physiotherapy intervention.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.175-182
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to identify low pain prevalence rate and factors affecting low back pain in emergency medical technicians. Method: A descriptive relationship research design was utilized. The participants were 74 emergency medical technicians who worked at fire stations in W and J city and agreed to participate in this study. Data were collected between April and August 2008 using a questionnaire, which included demographic factors, severity of low back pain using a visual analog scale, factors related to low back pain and health behavior, and BMI. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression were performed for data analysis. Results: 85.1% of emergency medical technicians experienced low back pain. The mean score of low back pain was relatively low (M=4.0, SD=2.33). Significant factors affecting low back pain were found to be age, marital status, exercise, hours of standing work, and BMI. These variables explained 35.1% of variance in low back pain (F=8.45, p<.001). Conclusion: These results suggest that further research is needed to develop interventions for prevention and management of low back pain among emergency medical technicians.

• Archives of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2018

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of changing the tilt angle of the exercise bed on physiological characteristics of trapezius, multifidus, and hamstring muscle function. Methods: Twenty elderly who complains of back and lumbar pain or discomfort participated in this study (average age: $64.70{\pm}4.55$ years). The physiological characteristics, including muscle tone (F), dynamic stiffness (S), and elasticity (D) of trapezius, multifidus, and hamstring muscles were measured by a Myoton device at three tilt angles (0, 15, and 30 degrees) during exercise. Results: The muscle tone, dynamic stiffness, and elasticity of the right trapezius and left hamstring muscle showed significant differences (p<0.05) according to exercise bed tilt angle, while the other muscles showed no significant differences. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that physiological characteristics of the upper and lower extremity muscles are affected ipsilaterally, according to the tilt angles of the exercise bed.

• International journal of advanced smart convergence
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.426-433
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate the muscle activity of the lower extremity during driver swing in three-foot positions (Feet Open Stance, Feet Straight Stance, Lead Foot Open Stance). The electromyograms of gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, and vastus lateralis during swing were measured and analyzed in three sections (take away - back swing, back swing - down swing, and down swing - follow swing). There was no significant difference in muscle activity according to foot position. Muscle activity according to phase was significantly higher in right gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior, and the left and right vastus lateralis in down swing - follow swing. In conclusion, the difference in muscle activity according to foot position is insignificant, and it is considered that the muscle activity to maintain the balance of the body increases toward the end of swing.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.23-36
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Plank exercise on unstable support surfaces on flexibility, abdominal muscle thickness and pain in patients with chronic back pain. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: This study was performed on 16 patients with chronic back pain of ◯◯ military unit. Sixteen subjects were randomly assigned into two groups, an upper extremity trainer group (group I, n=8) and a lower extremity trainer group (group II, n=8). The subjects in group I carried out Flank exercise applying the stability trainer to their upper extremities and ones in group II carried out the same exercise applying the stability trainer to their lower extremities for 4 weeks. In order to ascertain the difference between two groups, flexibility, abdominal muscle thickness and pain were measured before and after the exercise. The flexibility was measured by sit and reach test, the thickness of the abdominal muscle was measured by using ultrasonic imaging equipment, and the pain was measured by the visual analogue scale. A paired t-test was utilized to compare changes in pain, abdominal muscle thickness and flexibility before and after flank exercise on unstable support surfaces. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was performed for ascertaining the significant differences between groups. The significance level was set by α=.05. Results: 1) The flexibilities of two groups were increased after the exercise (p<0.05). 2) In both groups, the thicknesses of rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominis, internal oblique abdominis, and transverse abdominis were all increased after the exercise (p<0.05). 3) The pains in both groups were decreased after the exercise (p<0.05). 4) In the comparisons of two groups, there were no differences in the flexibility, thickness of external oblique abdominis, internal oblique abdominis and transverse abdominis and pain (p>0.05). Whereas only thickness of Rectus abdominis was larger in the group I than in the group II (p<0.05). Conclusion: Plank exercise on the unstable support surface for 4 weeks resulted in increased flexibility, abdominal muscle thickness and pain reduction in patients with chronic back pain. Therefore, it is considered that performing flank exercise on the unstable supporting surface is suitable for the reduction of the pain in patients with chronic back pain. However, in this study, it is considered that continuous and diverse studies are needed because there was not a large difference between the groups when the upper or lower limbs are provided unstable support surfaces.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.63-68
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• 1992

One hundred and four patients who complained of chest pain or back pain in the region between scapular were studied. In most cases, anatomical location of pain was in the rhomboid or serratus anterior muscle. Hyperactivity of dorsal scapular nerve or long thoracic nerve which innervate those muscles was thought to be responsible for the pain. The hyperactivity of the nerves may be due to the spasm of the scalenus medius muscle which the nerves meet during their course to the rhomboid or serratus anterior muscles. Therefore, spasmolytic treatment including trigger point injection, physical therapy, laser therapy, or NSAIDs may be effective for the treatment of chest pain or back pain.