Articles: low-back-pain.
-
J Manipulative Physiol Ther · Jan 1993
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe Hmax/Mmax ratio as an outcome measure for acute low back pain.
To evaluate the use of the Hmax/Mmax (H/M) ratio as an outcome measure for acute low back pain and to determine the change of this ratio in acute low back pain patients treated with spinal manipulation. ⋯ The H/M ratio was found to be within normal limits in subjects with acute low back pain. The H/M ratio showed greater change in the group which received spinal manipulation, but the change was subtle. The results indicate that the H/M ratio may be of limited value in clinical practice.
-
Two hundred chronic low-back pain patients entering a functional restoration program were assessed for current and lifetime psychiatric syndromes using a structured psychiatric interview to make DSM-III-R diagnoses. Results showed that, even when the somewhat controversial category of somatoform pain disorder was excluded, 77% of patients met lifetime diagnostic criteria and 59% demonstrated current symptoms for at least one psychiatric diagnosis. The most common of these were major depression, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders. ⋯ These are the first results to indicate that certain psychiatric syndromes appear to precede chronic low-back pain (substance abuse and anxiety disorders), whereas others (specifically, major depression) develop either before or after the onset of chronic low-back pain. Such findings substantially add to our understanding of causality and predisposition in the relationship between psychiatric disorders and chronic low-back pain. They also clearly reveal that clinicians should be aware of potentially high rates of emotional distress syndromes in chronic low-back pain and enlist mental health professionals to help maximize treatment outcomes.
-
Comparative Study
Reliability of the modified-modified Schöber and double inclinometer methods for measuring lumbar flexion and extension.
The primary purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of lumbar flexion and extension range-of-motion measurements obtained with the modified-modified Schöber and the double inclinometer methods on subjects with low back pain. ⋯ The modified-modified Schöber method thus appears to be a reliable method for measuring lumbar flexion and extension for patients with low back pain, whereas the double inclinometer technique needs improvement.
-
J Manipulative Physiol Ther · Jan 1993
Comparative StudyThe relationship between the St. Thomas and Oswestry disability scores and the severity of low back pain.
To investigate the relationship between the two disability questionnaires and low back pain severity using the visual analog scale (VAS). ⋯ The consequence of pain (disability) appears to have a weak relationship to pain severity. Despite the moderate correlation between the two disability questionnaires, it is suggested that they are not interchangeable.
-
Low back pain is a common clinical symptom usually associated with mechanical disorders, primarily muscle strain, affecting the lumbosacral spine. The majority of patients with low back pain improve within a 2-month period with conservative medical management. Conservative management includes limited physical activity, injections, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and muscle relaxants. These therapies work best in combination and are very effective in decreasing low back pain.