Abstract
Objectives : The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between spinal distortion and pain in elementary and middle school students. Methods : Using the phase-shifting moire developed by KAIST(Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) we measured the back surface distortion, and using questionnaire investigation, we investigated the partial pain in 1008 elementary and middle school students(532 boy students(52.8%), 476 girl students(47.2%)) in Seoul in 1999. And, we statistically analyzed the relationship between spinal distortion and partial body pain Results : This study show that the more age increase, the more the pain in head, neck, shoulder, back and low back Increase considerably among the students aged 9 to 15. The ratio of each partial body pain was 28.4%, 19.7%, 18.2%, 18.7%. 16.0% at the age of 9 and 59.7%, 67.4%, 51.8%, 51.8%, 64.4% at the age of 15 respectively. And, it was shown there was a significant correlation between spine distortion and partial body pain area. When the spinal distortion was found at the upper thoracic and cervical area, the students complained the more pain on head, neck and shoulder(p<0.05) and when the spinal distortion was found at the sacral base, the more headache(p<0.05) Conclusions : It is suggested that the significant correlation exist between the spinal distortion and pain and the pain related to spine disorder get more increase as students grow. We have to study further more about Juvenile postural distortion and it's prevention.