Abstract
[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare the non-painful side and painful side, and the presence or absence of chronic low back pain, to investigate the relationship of the muscle hardness of the multifidus with chronic low back pain. [Subjects] Six healthy young adults and eleven patients with chronic low back pain participated in this study. [Methods] We measured by the muscle hardness of the lumbar multifidus, 2.5 cm laterally from the L5 spinous process using a dolorimeter ?. [Results] Compared to the normal group, the muscles hardnesses of the painful side and non-painful side of the low back pain group were significantly lower. Muscle hardness of the low back pain group was significantly higher on the pain side compared to the non-pain side. [Conclusion] Treatment of patients with chronic low back pain is also necessary on the non-painful side as well as painful side.
