: One complication associated with treating lower back pain is that often times the fundamental muscle activation patterns have changed as a result of the injury. In response to pain, the body reorganizes activation patterns of the muscles supporting and stabilizing the spine to avoid the painful region. This compensation tactic can lead to further instability and pain causing a downward spiral of disability. Before strengthening can take place, the issue of inappropriate motor control strategies must be addressed. #theotherdayiread an article by Suehiro and colleagues investigating muscle activation patterns during prone hip extension, a movement that is generally problematic for those with back pain. The researchers observed delayed activation the bilateral multifidus and contralateral erector spinae, two muscles responsible for stabilizing the pelvis. The ipsilateral (same side as moving leg) multifidus in particular plays a crucial role in lumbo-pelvic stability, and in healthy individuals begins to fire in anticipation of the movement, providing a solid foundation for the muscles responsible for extending the hip (hamstring/glute). The delay observed in participants suffering from back pain represents a period of time where the body is moving while unstable, which could contribute to further stress to the injured structures and increased pain. Above are a couple of hip extension exercises that can be used to restore proper motor control strategies during hip extension. By placing your hand on your lower back you can focus on the activation of the multifidus and erector spinae, particularly trying to ensure you fire the multifidus on the side of the active glute prior to initiating the muscular contraction.
1. Prone Hip Extension
2. Glute Bridge March
: One complication associated with treating lower back pain is that often times the fundamental muscle activation patterns have changed as a result of the injury. In response to pain, the body reorganizes activation patterns of the muscles supporting and stabilizing the spine to avoid the painful region. This compensation tactic can lead to further instability and pain causing a downward spiral of disability. Before strengthening can take place, the issue of inappropriate motor control strategies must be addressed. #theotherdayiread an article by Suehiro and colleagues investigating muscle activation patterns during prone hip extension, a movement that is generally problematic for those with back pain. The researchers observed delayed activation the bilateral multifidus and contralateral erector spinae, two muscles responsible for stabilizing the pelvis. The ipsilateral (same side as moving leg) multifidus in particular plays a crucial role in lumbo-pelvic stability, and in healthy individuals begins to fire in anticipation of the movement, providing a solid foundation for the muscles responsible for extending the hip (hamstring/glute). The delay observed in participants suffering from back pain represents a period of time where the body is moving while unstable, which could contribute to further stress to the injured structures and increased pain. Above are a couple of hip extension exercises that can be used to restore proper motor control strategies during hip extension. By placing your hand on your lower back you can focus on the activation of the multifidus and erector spinae, particularly trying to ensure you fire the multifidus on the side of the active glute prior to initiating the muscular contraction. 1. Prone Hip Extension 2. Glute Bridge March
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