Abstract
We can evaluate a degree of low back pain objectively by measuring paraspinal muscle activity using a surface electromyogram. For example paraspinal muscle activity during walking in patients with lumbar degenerative kyphosis was detected to resume a normal rhythmic pattern by means of a cane. In patients with acute low back pain, a lumbar corset was presumed to make paraspinal muscle activity decrease during motion. Together with a similar report in patients with chronic low back pain, this decrease effect for muscle activity may be attributed to a clinical effectiveness of a lumbar corset.
On the other hand, long-term wearing of orthosis might cause disuse atrophy of paraspinal muscle. A lumbar corset usage is so far recommended for patients with acute low back pain in a short term.
