MAINTENANCE OF LUMBAR LORDOSIS = DECREASED RISK OF LOW BACK PAIN, ISCHIUM (BUTT BONE) PAIN, & COCCYX (TAIL BONE) PAIN
Spine, Volume 22, Number 21, pp. 2571-2574, 1997, “Lumbar Lordosis, Effects of Sitting and Standing,” written by Michael J. Lord, M.D.; John M. Small, M.D.; Jocylane M. Dinsay, R.N., M.N.; and Robert G. Watkins, M.D., Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic, California, U.S.A.:
The objective of the above-mentioned study was to document changes in segmental and total lumbar lordosis (inward curvature of the lumbar spine) between sitting and standing radiographs (x-rays).
“One hundred and nine patients with low back pain underwent radiography in the sitting and standing positions. The patients ranged in age from 21 years to 83 years (mean age, 47 years) and had had no prior lumbar spine fusion or clinical deformity. Seventy men and 39 women took part in the study.”
DECREASED LUMBAR LORDOSIS & LOW BACK PAIN
In their discussion, the authors state the following:
“Keegan (1953) in a study of the relationship between lordosis and sitting, found the most important factor in low back pain with prolonged sitting to be decreased trunk-thigh angle with consequent fattening of the lumbar curve. Use of a lumbar roll that increases lordosis has been found to decrease low back pain, (Williams, A.M., et al., 1991).”
DECREASED LUMBAR LORDOSIS & BUTT PAIN / TAIL-BONE PAIN
“With decreased lordosis, sitting pressure increases over the ischium (butt bones) and coccyx (tail-bone) with resultant pain, (Drummond, D.S., et al., 1982 and 1985; Smith, R.M., et al., 1992.)
The following conclusions were made:
“Segmental and total lordosis were significantly different in the sitting and standing postures. Lordosis increased almost 50 percent when the patients moved from the sitting to the standing position. The clinical significance of this data may pertain to:
- The known correlation of increased intra-discal pressure with sitting, which may be caused by this decrease in lordosis;
- To the benefit of a sitting lumbar support that increases lordosis; and
- To the consideration of an appropriate degree of lordosis in fusion of the lumbar spine.”
