Sustained versus repetitive standing trunk extension results in greater spinal growth and pain improvement in back pain: a randomized clinical trial

Review written by Dr Sandy Hilton info

Key Points

  1. Spinal extension has been helpful in centralizing radicular symptoms.
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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Low back pain (LBP) continues to be a leading cause of disability and lost workdays. Of the 3 categories of LBP classified by the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society, Lumbar Intervertebral Disc herniation (IVD) is one of the most common causes of LBP associated with radiculopathy (1).

To understand the IVD’s role in the development or persistence of LBP researchers have focused on lumbar spinal height changes in response to interventions (2). The authors point out that there are no studies to date on the effects of standing spinal extension exercises on spinal height, pain, centralization, and function (3).

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of standing trunk extension (sustained or repetitive) on spinal height, pain, centralization, and function.

Lumbar Intervertebral disc herniation is one of the most common causes of low back pain associated with radiculopathy.
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Since it is not a permanent change in spinal height, it is likely that sustained spinal extension should be a part of a daily maintenance as is brushing your teeth or combing your hair.

METHODS

  • This was a randomized trial comparing repetitive trunk extension (RTE) to sustained trunk extension (STE) as they relate to back pain. It was a convenience sample and 2-session physical therapy trial using either RTE or STE in standing (see Video
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