Prevention of lumbar pain through application of kinesetherapy and following the ergonomic principles

Abstract

Chronic lumbar pain, seen from a medical and psychosocial aspect is a complex issue, for which a multidisciplinary access is needed during treatment. The goal is to determine the impact of professional education to the outcome of the application of ergonomic principles and the practice of exercises for the lumbar area, in patients with lumbar syndrome. The study has covered 50 patients, who are receiving a therapy for the second time. The patients were randomly selected. They were asked to fill in a control questionnaire in order to make sure that they are following the instructions and to learn about the results from the previously prescribed ergonomic advices, and the practice of the acquired lumbar exercises. The patients were with an average age of 51.8 years, most of whom were females (62%), and average BMI of 22.8. 36(72%) of the patients were following the ergonomic advices, while 14(28%) did not. 16 patients exercised, 8 patients exercised occasionally, 18 patients exercised only in the beginning (after being advised), 3 patients did not exercise at all, while 5 patients did not exercise but engaged in physical activity. Contingents Coefficient indicates a relatively strong association between practicing the exercises and following the ergonomic advice (p<0.05). In 28 of the patients, the symptoms never reappeared, 22 felt pain, 2 had lumbar pain, and 15 had leg cramps. X²-test indicates that there is no statistical importance between the observance of ergonomic advices and reappearing of the pain (p>0.05). The application of the kinesitherapy methods, as well as the discipline while following the ergonomic advices addressed to lumbar pain provide satisfactory functional outcome and long term benefit.