• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.49-61
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• 2021

PURPOSE: Hamstring muscle shortening is related to low back pain, and it is important to check the hamstring muscle flexibility and pelvic mobility to analyze the effects of the intervention. This study examined the effects of hamstring muscle shortening on flexibility and pelvic mobility according to the method of stretching the hamstring muscle in patients with low back pain. METHODS: Forty Low Back Pain Patients participated. The subjects performed the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire (FABQ), Korean version of Oswestry Disability Index (KODI), Myovision, and sensbalance therapy cushion (pelvic mobility, proprioception). The subjects were divided into two groups to perform the passive and active stretching protocol. The intervention was conducted three times a week for four weeks. RESULTS: Hamstring muscle flexibility was increased significantly in both groups (p < .05), and there was no difference between the groups. VAS, FABQ was decreased significantly in both groups (p < .01), and there was no difference between the groups. The left lower back muscle impedance was decreased significantly in both groups (p < .05). The passive stretching group showed a significant increase in the pelvic anterior, posterior, and left tilt ROM (p < .05). The active stretching group showed a significant increase in the pelvic anterior, posterior tilt ROM (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Both stretching methods may be useful intervention methods for pelvic mobility and pain recovery and can assess back pain recovery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.338-343
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• 2014

Objective : The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical results of endoscopic radiofrequency ablation of medial branch in patients with chronic low back pain originating from facet joints. Methods : Between October 2010 and December 2013, 52 consecutive patients had suffering from chronic low back pain had undergone endoscopic radiofrequency denervation of medial branch of dorsal ramus. The clinical outcomes of these 52 patients were reviewed retrospectively. Preoperative and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Korean version of Oswestry Disability Index (K-ODI), and patients' satisfaction with the procedure were assessed. Results : The pain scores on the VAS for back pain had improved significantly from a preoperative mean of 7.1 to a postoperative mean of 2 at the last follow-up (p<0.001). The clinical outcomes based on the K-ODI had also improved significantly from a preoperative mean of 26.5% to postoperative mean of 7.7% at the last follow-up (p<0.001). 80% of patients were satisfied with the procedure. There were no complications associated with the procedure. Conclusion : Our preliminary results demonstrate that endoscopic radiofrequency denervation of medial branch could be an effective alternative treatment modality for chronic back pain originating from facet joints that provides long-term pain relief.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.45-55
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• 2022

Background: This study compared the effects of trunk stabilization exercise and hip joint exercises on the range of motion of the lumbar spine, pain severity, and severity of disability in patients with chronic lower back pain. Methods: A total of 30 participants were enrolled and divided into group 1 (n=10), group 2 (n=10), and group 3 (n=10) were performed by each group thrice a week for a total of 8 weeks. Group 1 performed warm-up exercise (15 min), trunk stabilization exercise (25 min), finish-up exercise (15mins). Group 2 performed warm-up exercise (15 min), hip exercise (25 mins, finish-up exercise (15mins). Group 3 warm-up exercise (15 min), trunk stabilization and hip exercise (25 min), Finish-up exercise (15 min). Participants were assessed for the range of motion of the lumbar spine, pain severity (visual analog scale score; VAS), and severity of disability (Oswestry disability index score; ODI) before and after the interventions. Results: All three groups showed a significant increase in the range of motion of the lumbar spine, but there was no significant difference among the groups. Moreover, the severity of pain and ODI were significantly decreased in all groups; however, the intergroup differences were non-significant. Conclusion: The results from this study confirmed the effectiveness of trunk stabilization and hip joint exercise in improving the lumbar range of motion, pain severity, and chronic lower back pain in patients. Thus, trunk and pelvic stabilization exercises and hip joint exercise can be used as clinical practices to treat and prevent chronic lower back pain.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.17-31
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• 2003

Many risk factors with the onset of Low Back Pain(LBP) have been identified, however, lifting out of Manual Material Handling(MMH) was the most important factor to the LBP. Injuries due to lifting took account for 34.0%(227,291) out of the total overexertion in MMH(668,084). The weight, vertical location, twist angle, lifting frequency, and lifting posture were reviewed in this study. Technical information for using the revised lifting equation to evaluate a variety of two - handled manual material handling tasks was suggested. To measure worker's fatigue in lifting task, Lifting Index Simulator(LIS) was create under the revised NIOSH(National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) lifting equation. For the implementation of the LIS, data was collected in A company manufactures various paints in Si-Wha industrial complex, Kyunggi-Do. The results of the Lifting Index(LI) were analyzed by MANOVA to find the relation with lifting variables collected. It was found that horizontal distance, vertical distance, travelling distance and frequency were significant at the 0.01 level and weight was significant at the 0.05 level. The purpose of this paper is to reduce the chronical low back pain for the manual material handlers.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.203-214
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• 2022

Purpose: We investigated the effects of multimodal vs. stabilization exercises on chronic low back pain. Methods: Study participants were randomly assigned to a multimodal exercise (n = 20) or a stabilization exercise group (n = 20). Participants in the multimodal exercise group performed stabilization, stretching, and endurance exercises, whereas those in the stabilization exercise group performed only stabilization exercises. Participants in both groups performed the exercises for 1 hour thrice a week for 5 weeks. The following outcomes were evaluated: pain intensity (numeric rating scale), disability (the Oswestry Disability Index [ODI] and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire [RMDQ]), pain-induced fear (the Fear of Daily Activities Questionnaire [FDAQ], the Fear-Avoidance Belief Questionnaire [FABQ], and the Tampa scale for kinesiophobia-11 [TSK-11]). Outcome measures were evaluated at baseline and after intervention. Results: Significant post-intervention improvement was observed in pain intensity and the RMDQ and FDAQ scores in both groups (p < 0.01). The post-intervention ODI, FABQ, and TSK-11 scores were improved in the multimodal exercise group (p < 0.01). Additionally, significant differences were observed in pain intensity, as well as in the ODI, FDAQ, and FABQ scores in the multimodal exercise group compared with these findings in the stabilization exercise group (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The multimodal and stabilization exercise programs reduced pain intensity, disability, and pain-induced fear. Compared with stabilization exercises, multimodal exercises more effectively reduced pain intensity, disability, and pain-induced fear. This study highlights that musculoskeletal rehabilitation for people with chronic low back pain should include a multimodal exercise program.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.182-185
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• 2019

Dural ectasia is defined as ballooning or expansion of the dural sac surrounding the spinal cord. This report describes a rare case of low back pain and sciatica, suspected as being dural ectasia. The patient was hospitalized for 45 days, and underwent integrative Korean medical treatment, including pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, herbal medicine, Chuna therapy, cupping therapy, and physiotherapy. The effect of the treatment was evaluated using the numerical rating scale, Oswestry disability index, European quality of life 5 dimensions, and subjective symptoms. After inpatient treatment, the pain the patient experienced was significantly reduced and the evaluation indices improved. This case report suggested that integrative Korean medical treatment could be an effective therapeutic choice for low back pain and sciatica, with dural ectasia. Further clinical studies are needed to support this observation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.78-87
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• 2020

Objectives: In modern society, many people have low back pain (LBP) and spinal diseases. About 80% of them experience severe LBP more than once in their lifetime. We can find studies on many Korean medicine-based treatments, such as acupuncture treatment for LBP and exercise therapy, which are effective in reducing the symptoms. This study focuses on the combined effect of both Korean medicine and exercise therapy for treating LBP. Method: For this review, we searched for articles focusing on pain and disability recovery in pre-clinical and clinical studies of extension and flexion exercise therapy related to LBP. The search databases were as follows: PubMed, Google Scholar, and seven Korean electronic databases (Korea Citation Index (KCI), Korean studies Information Service System (KISS), Research Information Service System (RISS), Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS), DBPIA, National Digital Science Library (NDSL), and KOREAMED). The keywords were as follows: Korean Medicine, back pain, flexion exercise, extension exercise, McKenzie method, McKenzie exercise, Williams' flexion exercise, and Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy. Results & Conclusions: This review shows the usefulness of flexion and extension exercises for LBP treatment and effective patient education, but further studies are necessary.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.109-116
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of an active tailored exercise program on pain and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) among workers with musculoskeletal symptoms of the lower back in an automobile parts manufacturing company. METHODS: Twenty-two workers with musculoskeletal symptoms of the lower back were included in the study. The experimental group was composed of 15 workers and a control group of seven workers. The experimental group was provided an active tailored exercise program and education on the risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders. The control group was only provided ergonomic education. The exercise program, which consisted of movement pattern correction, muscle stretching and strengthening, and postural correction exercises, was applied twice a week for two months for one hour a day. Pain, which was determined using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and the ODI were measured before and after exercise. RESULTS: After applying the exercise program for two months, the VAS and ODI of the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group (p<.05). In the experimental group, the VAS decreased significantly after one month (p<0.05), and the ODI decreased significantly after two months (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Because active tailored exercise programs are effective in improving the pain and disability indices, it is necessary to actively implement such programs among manufacturing workers with musculoskeletal symptoms of the lower back.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.227-233
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• 2018

Objectives: Chronic diseases, including back pain, result in significant patient morbidity and societal burden. Overall improvement in physical fitness is recommended for prevention and treatment. Walking is a convenient modality for achieving initial gains. Our objective was to determine whether neighbourhood walkability, acting as a surrogate measure of physical fitness, was associated with the presence of chronic disease. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of prospectively collected data from a prior randomized cohort study of 227 patients referred for tertiary assessment of chronic back pain in Ottawa, ON, Canada. The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was calculated from patient-completed questionnaires and medical record review. Using patients' postal codes, neighbourhood walkability was determined using the Walk Score, which awards points based on the distance to the closest amenities, yielding a score from 0 to 100 (0-50: car-dependent; 50-100: walkable). Results: Based on the Walk Score, 134 patients lived in car-dependent neighborhoods and 93 lived in walkable neighborhoods. A multivariate logistic regression model, adjusted for age, gender, rural postal code, body mass index, smoking, median household income, percent employment, pain, and disability, demonstrated an adjusted odds ratio of 2.75 (95% confidence interval, 1.16 to 6.53) times higher prevalence for having a chronic disease for patients living in a car-dependent neighborhood. There was also a significant dose-related association (p=0.01; Mantel-Haenszel chi-square=6.4) between living in car-dependent neighbourhoods and more severe CCI scores. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that advocating for improved neighbourhood planning to permit greater walkability may help offset the burden of chronic disease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.230-237
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of Korean medicine combination treatments for recurring back pain after medical procedures. Methods: This was a retrospective study performed on 311 patients admitted to Daejoen Jaseng hospital who were diagnosed with lumbar spine herniated intervertebral discs. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether or not they had undergone at least one medical procedure on the lumbar spine. They were assessed with Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and EuroQol-5 Dimensions Index (EQ-5D) before and after treatment. Results: Patients who experienced a medical procedure on the lumbar spine in the prehospital phase (Group A), statistically significantly improved EQ-5D and ODI scores. The NRS scores also decreased however it was not statistically significant. Patients who had not undergone a medical procedure on the lumbar spine in the prehospital phase (Group B) had statistically significantly improved ODI and NRS scores. The average EQ-5D score decreased however, there was no statistically significant difference before and after scores in Group B. There was no statistically significant difference in variation in EQ-5D, ODI, and NRS scores before and after treatment between the groups. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that even after a bilateral procedure and surgery, when pain in patients with lumbar spine herniated intervertebral disc did not decrease, (as in failed back surgery syndrome), Korean medicine combination treatment of postoperative pain was helpful and there was improvement in daily life.