Abstract
Previous studies have indicated an increased risk of low back pain when bending forward in the early morning, because of increased fluid in the intervertebral discs. This randomized controlled, partial crossover study tested the hypothesis that control of early morning lumbar flexion will significantly reduce chronic, non-specific low back pain. Diaries were used to record daily levels of pain intensity, disability, impairment, and medication usage. Significant reductions in pain intensity (p<0.01) were recorded for the treatment group, but not for the control group. After receiving the experimental treatment, the control group responded with similar reductions (p<0.05). The only subjects who did not benefit as well were those who performed heavy physical work; with a statistically significant lower reduction in mean pain intensity from those with light to moderate work (p<0.05). It was concluded that controlling lumbar flexion in the early morning has the potential for reducing chronic, non-specific low back pain. The poorer results found for subjects with heavy physical work requirements emphasize the ergonomic implications of this study.
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