Relationship between low back pain and lumbar and hip joint movement in desk workers

Abstract

[Purpose] The study aimed to determine the relationship between low back pain and lumbar and hip movement in desk workers with chronic non-specific low back pain, in order to obtain basic data regarding measures for preventing low back pain in desk workers. [Participants and Methods] The study included 10 desk workers (all female, age: 47.1 ± 6.0 years). The following measurements were recorded: numerical rating scale score for pain assessment at the time of maximum forward and backward bending of the trunk while standing, and the amount of movement of the trunk and the lumbar and hip joint. The ratio of the lumbar and hip joint movements during maximum forward and backward bending of the trunk was calculated. [Results] For maximum forward and backward bending of the trunk, a positive correlation between the numerical rating scale score and the ratio of movement for the lumbar and a negative correlation with that of the hip joint were noted. [Conclusion] Moving the hip joint while suppressing excessive lumbar movement is one of the measures for preventing low back pain in desk workers.