Chronic Lower Back Pain And Hamstring Flexibility From A Population In An Urban Midwestern University

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Chronic lower back pain (CLBP) is defined as pain, muscle tension, or stiffness localized at the lumbar region that persists for 12 weeks or more (Chou, R. 2011). It can be caused by tight hamstrings in both active and inactive people. Studies suggest that stretching the hamstrings improves pain and flexibility in adults (Lee, 2014, Sattar, 2015, Gordon, 2016). It is not known if a flexibility training intervention would have similar effects in faculty, staff, and students in a Midwestern University. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of a 6-week static stretching intervention on perceived pain and sit and reach scores, as surrogate measurements of hamstring flexibility and CLBP risk in faculty, staff, and students at an Urban Midwestern University. METHODS: Participants (n=41) were recruited and consented to participate in this study. Males had an average age of 31 years (n=12, SD=13.8) and females 33 years (n=29, SD=13.4). At the initial visit, flexibility was tested by performing the sit and reach test. Perceived pain was assessed using a pain scale between 1-10. Participants were then taught an at-home hamstring flexibility protocol to complete 3 days a week for 6 weeks. Check-ins for reassessment occurred at 3 and 6 weeks. RESULTS: Baseline mean score in sit and reach of CLBP group was 28.0 cm (SD=10.1) and control group was 27.3 cm (SD=10.5). At week 3, CLBP scored a mean of 29.3 cm (SD=11.2) and controls scored 26.9 cm (SD=7.5), indicating 8.9% and 5.9% flexibility increases, respectively. At week 6, only 9 individuals from CLBP continued and scored a mean of 32.2 cm (SD=10.8), representing a 6.85% flexibility increase, but it was not significant (p=0.07). Mean baseline pain score for CLBP group was 3.3 (SD=1.2) and for controls was 1 (SD=0.7). At week 3, participants in the CLBP group scored a 3 (SD=1.6) - a 10% reduction in pain - and the controls scored 1 (SD=0.5). At week 6, only 9 individuals from CLBP continued and scored a 1.88 (SD= 0.64), representing a decrease in pain by 43%. Changes were not significant (p=0.06). CONCLUSION: Following a 6 week stretching protocol, participants in the CLBP group tended to have reduced perceived pain and increased flexibility, as assessed by the sit and reach test, suggesting that static stretching protocols may be an important part of CLBP management.