Postural aberrations in low back pain

The purpose of this study was to measure and describe postural aberrations in chronic and acute low back pain in search of predictors of low back pain. The sample included 59 subjects recruited to the following three groups: chronic, acute, or no low back pain. Diagnoses included disc disease, mechanical back pain, and osteoarthritis. Lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, head position, shoulder position, shoulder height, pelvic tilt, and leg length were measured using a photographic technique. In standing, chronic pain patients exhibited an increased lumbar lordosis compared with controls ( p < .05). Acute patients had an increased thoracic kyphosis and a forward head position compared with controls ( p < .05). In sitting, acute patients had an increased thoracic kyphosis compared with controls ( p < .05). These postural parameters identified discrete postural profiles but had moderate value as predictors of low back pain. Therefore other unidentified factors are also important in the prediction of low back pain.