• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.186-190
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the lumbar erector spinea and rectus abdominis activations, according to the different gait velocities in young healthy adults. Methods: We recruited 6 young male and 10 young female (mean age=21.43 years; range 19~23) in this study. We used a wireless surface electromyogram (Telemyo 2400T G2, Noraxon, USA) and a treadmill unit for the experiment. EMG activity from the lumbar erector spinea, and rectus abdominis of the dominant side was record with surface electrodes. On different day, all subjects gaited on 2.7 km/h, 4.5 km/h, and 6.3 km/h of speed in random order. They gaited at the same velocity, three times, on the treadmill unit. To reduce fatigue, sufficient rests were given between the measurements. Results: As the gait speed increased, lumbar erector spinea and rectus abdominis activations were significantly increased (p<0.05). Conclusion: In the current study, we found lumbar erector spinea and rectus abdominis activations were changed, according to the gait velocity. We suggested that rehabilitation intervention should be focused on the exercise velocity for the patients with problem of the trunk control.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.27-31
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• 2013

In this paper, we propose a new quantization method using fuzzy C-means clustering(FCM) for lumbar ultrasound image recognition. Unlike usual histogram based quantization, our method first classifies regions into 10 clusters and sorts them by the central value of each cluster. Those clusters are represented with different colors. This method is efficient to handle lumbar ultrasound image since in this part of human body, the brightness values are distributed to doubly skewed histogram in general thus the usual histogram based quantization is not strong to extract different areas. Experiment conducted with 15 real lumbar images verified the efficacy of proposed method.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.81-89
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to explore the trends of acupoints used for lumbar HIVD(Herniated Intervertebral Disc) and treatment and anatomical location of Hwatahyeopcheock. Methods : We searched the latest clinical studies on acupuncture treatment for lumbar HIVD(Herniated Intervertebral Disc) through domestic studies search. To analyze the data, we categorized them by year and article types of literatures and investigated often-used acupoints and acupuncture types for treatment by reading treatment part of every paper searched. Domestic and Chinese literatures related to Hwatahyeopcheock were also studied for its anatomical location. Results : Total 50 articles are searched and local points are more used than distant points for lumbar HIVD(Herniated Intervertebral Disc) and most of them showed curative effects. Back-su points were used the most and Hwatahyeopcheock use accounted for one-third of the articles. In the articles of Hwatahyeopcheock use, except for one, patients complained of both low back pain and radiating pain, and all of them showed positive results after treatment. Conclusions : Back su point is considered to have its meaning as physical region where patients feel pain including herniated disc level rather than the effect meridian system makes. Through document research and meridian muscle theory, we found that Hwatahyeopcheock means vertebral facet joint, intervertebral foramen and surrounding muscle, nerve, blood vessel and related spinal nerves.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this research was to develop a proposal by investigating the work habits associated with exercise programs for the prevention of chronic back pain. Methods : The symptoms, areas and causes of musculoskeletal patients were analyzed during a three-month period in order to develop and apply prevention programs that stimulate lumbar deep layer muscle movement. Results : The results of this study show that the lumbar and shoulders are primary areas of pain. According to the literature, lumbar and shoulder pain is caused due to long periods in the standing position and unhealthy posture during work. A preliminary program was conducted for one month to study lower back pain prevention. Preliminary results of the program showed a lumbar stabilizing effect caused by the strengthening of abdominal muscles. In addition, the alignment of the spine often leads to effective action. Therefore, action-oriented programs should be implemented in order to induce contractions of the transverse abdominis muscle. Conclusion : The completed program should consider habit and practices of workers within their working environment. The promotion of health through exercise for both employers and workers is expected to bring physical and psychological benefits that will positively affect economic results.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.185-192
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of the electro-acupuncture stimulation into the multifidus for the lumbar flexibility improvement and pain reduction. The subjects were consisted of 20 women patients with chronic low back pain. Methods : 20 women patients with chronic low back pain voluntary participated for the research. 15 minute electro-acupuncture stimulation(frequency: 4Hz, Intensity: below threshold of pain) with Infra-red therapy, 3 times a week during 6 weeks period. Acupuncture application given to the patients' trigger point of the multifidus. The Application of multifidus was L3, L4, L5 spinal vertebra levels Short form McGill pain questionnaire (SFMPQ) was used to measure patient's pain level. Lumbar flexibility measurement was trunk flexion and trunk extension. Global Perceived Effect Scale(GPES) was used to measure recovery or worse of patient's condition. Results : SFMPQ was after treatment showed significantly decreased more than before stimulation treatment (P<.05). Lumbar flexibility was after treatment showed significantly increase more than before treatment(P<.05). GPES was after treatment showed significantly increased more than before treatment(p<.05). Conclusion : This study will be used as treatment method of patient with chronic LBP. The multifidus muscle in chronic LBP patients clinical significance. Most of chronic LBP patients have multifidus contraction pattern. So chronic LBP patients necessary multifidus muscle release treatment.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.42-52
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• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the severity and direction of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) on the facet joints and paraspinal muscles. Design: Cross-sectional design. Methods: The subjects were divided according to the diagnosis for severity of unilateral herniation of L4-L5 disc. The groups consisted of disc protrusion group (n=15), disc extrusion group (n=15), and no disc herniation group (n=15). The asymmetry and angle of facet joints and the cross-sectional area of paraspinal muscles were analyzed and compared using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: The results showed that the angle of facet tropism was larger in disc extrusion group than the disc protrusion group and the difference was found to be significant difference (p<0.01). In addition, when both left and right angles of patients with unilateral disc herniation were measured, the results showed larger facet joint angle in the herniated area of the disc extrusion group than in the disc protrusion group. When paraspinal muscles were measured according to the severity of disc herniation and the degree of facet joint asymmetry, there was no difference in paraspinal muscles between the disc protrusion and disc extrusion groups. Meanwhile, the multifidus muscle was smaller in the group with facet tropism than the group without facet tropism (p<0.03), while there were no significant differences in the erector spinae and psoas muscles. Conclusion: Progression of disc herniation resulted in increased facet joint tropism, increased angle of the facet joints in the direction of disc herniation, and decreased size of the multifidus muscle.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.413-418
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• 2006

Objective : The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the clinical results between classical open surgery and percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy[PELD] in cases of extraforaminal lumbar disc herniation. Methods : We obtained the clinical data from 47 patients with extraforaminal lumbar disc herniations who underwent the open paramedian muscle-splitting approach or percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy[PELD] between January 2001 and February 2004. This study consisted of patients with soft disc extraforaminal herniations. The patients were assessed with the visual analogue scale[VAS] and MacNab's criteria before surgery, just before discharge, and postoperative 1 year. Results : There were 25 cases in the open surgery group and 22 cases in the PELD group. The average operating time was $78{\pm}36.71\;min$ in the PELD group and $110{\pm}29.68\;min$ in the open surgery group. The mean hospital stay was $2.73{\pm}2.62$ days in the PELD group and $7.68{\pm}2.59$ days in the open surgery group. VAS decreased from $8.34{\pm}0.66$ to $1.29{\pm}2.27$ in the PELD group and from $8.40{\pm}1.40$ to $1.70{\pm}1.72$ in the open surgery group at the one-year follow-up. The success rate of PELD was 86.4%, compared with 80.0% for open surgery. However, there were no statistically significant difference between two groups for success rate and VAS. Conclusion : Although the success rates were similar in both groups, PELD is less invasive, faster, and safe procedure than open surgery for extraforaminal disc herniation in selected patients.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2010

Background: We prospectively evaluated the incidence and possible factors causing intramuscular injection during lumbar sympathetic ganglion block and compared the multiple needle technique to the single technique to obtain a profound and complete block effect. Methods: Among 83 patients, 58 patients (group A, n = 27, multiple needle technique and group B, n = 31, single needle technique) were reevaluated for the changes of skin temperature (Ts) and mean segment of longitudinal contrast spread. After injecting the contrast agent, the incidence of psoas muscle injection and the change of Ts was compared between two groups. Results: The incidence of psoas muscle injection was 21.3% (46/216) and it was associated with the level of injection (L2) significantly (${\chi}_2$ = 14.773, P = 0.001). $DT^{post}$ (postblock temperature difference between ipsilateral and contralateral great toe, $4.6{\pm}2.8^{\circ}C$, $1.8{\pm}1.6^{\circ}C$, P < 0.001 for group A and B) and $DT^{net}$ ($DT^{post}$ - $DT^{pre}$, $3.9{\pm}2.7^{\circ}C$, $1.5{\pm}1.5^{\circ}C$, P < 0.001 for group A and B) was significantly higher in group A. The mean segment of longitudinal contrast spread was $8.1{\pm}0.9$ for group A and $3.2{\pm}1.6$ for group B (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The LSGB at the L2 level showed the lowest incidence of psoas muscle injection of contrast. Multiple needle approach showed more significant increase of $DT^{net}$ and $DT^{post}$.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.91-94
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• 2017

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of trunk muscle activity with power grasping during one leg stance. Methods: Twenty-eight subjects participated in this study. Subjects were divided into two groups, one that performed power grasping, and another that did not. An investigator measured the activities of a subject's trunk muscle such as internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), erector spinae (ES), and gluteus medius (GM) while a subject was doing one leg stance. Results: An independent t-test was used to analyze trunk muscle activities with power grasping during one leg stance between the experimental group and the control group. Only the EO activity differed significantly between groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate that one leg stance with power grasping affected trunk muscle activity. Therefore, this is a useful method for providing lumbar spine stability.

• 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.