Background: Low back and neck pain are two of the most common medical problems in the adult population. It is estimated that between 70% and 80% adults experience an episode of low back pain at least once during their lifetime. Objects: This study aimed to compare the effects of various stretching exercises and muscle energy techniques used for treatment of iliopsoas, quadratus lumborum, and hamstrings of patients with low back pain. Methods: A total of 52 subjects were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 17), the muscle energy technology group (METG, n = 19), and the stretching exercise group (SEG, n = 16). Interventions were performed twice a week for 4 weeks. Outcomes were measured before and after 4 weeks of treatment in the three groups, using the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire (FABQ), the Finger to Floor test (FTF), the Modified-Modified Schober Test (MMS), and the Trunk Flexion Range of Motion test. Results: This study showed significant reduction in the pre-test and post-test KODI, VAS, and FABQ scores in all the three groups (p < 0.05). The KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF assessed in this study showed interactions between the groups and the measurement time point (p < 0.01). After intervention, the KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF in the SEG and METG were significantly higher (p < 0.05), and there was no difference between the METG and SEG. MMS and HFROM test showed no difference between the three groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF showed significant improvement after basic physical therapy, muscle energy technique, and stretching exercise intervention. And there was no significant difference in the intervention effect between the muscle energy group and the stretching exercise group.

Background: Pregnancy-related low back pain (PLBP) has fewer systematic guidelines than pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain, previous studies have not evaluated physical therapy for this ailment in Korea. Objects: We aimed to provide a detailed account of clinical decision making by Korean physiotherapists while treating PLBP. Methods: In total, 955 questionnaires were distributed mainly in places of continuing education held by the Korean Physical Therapy Association from April to July 2019. The same questionnaire was posted on a website used by physiotherapists. We collected subject information, a specific Vignette typically represent symptoms of PLBP, and responses to multiple questions about decision making, subjective recognition and interest level in the field of women’s health physiotherapy (WHPT). Results: The overall response rate was 56% (n = 537); of these, responses to 520 questionnaires were analyzed. Most respondents chose various combinations of physical therapy methods. There were significant differences in subjective recognition levels of WHPT according to gender (p < 0.05), age (p < 0.01), education level (p < 0.01), and clinical experience (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in interest according to gender (p < 0.01) and education level (p < 0.01). With respect to the types of treatment, significant differences were noted in selective rates for “manual therapy”, “pain control”, and “supportive devices” based on gender. Manual therapy tended to be chosen more with increasing age and clinical experience. With increased education level, there were fewer choices for the use of pain control. Conclusion: This is the first data on how Korean physiotherapists manage PLBP patients using the vignette method. We were able to recognize the Korean physical therapist's decision on PLBP patients, and observed statistically significant correlations. This may aid in developing future research and education plans in the WHPT field.

Background: A limited hip rotational range of motion (ROM) has been considered to be one of characteristics of low back pain (LBP) in athletes. Although LBP frequently occurs in jiu-jitsu athletes, no previous has compared hip rotational ROM between jiu-jitsu athletes with and without LBP. Objects: The aim of the study was to compare ROM for hip internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER), and total hip rotation between jiu-jitsu athletes with and without LBP. Methods: Jiu-jitsu athletes were recruited for the LBP group (n1=15) and control group without LBP (n2=15). IR, ER, and total rotational range of hip joint were measured using a goniometer. Analysis of variance was used to compare the ROM between groups and sides. Results: The LBP group showed a significantly lower range of passive hip IR, passive total rotation, active IR, active ER, and active total rotation than the control group (p<.05). Dominant side of passive hip IR and active IR had a significantly lower ROM than non-dominant side (p<.05). In passive ER ROM, non-dominant side was significantly greater than dominant side (p<.05). Conclusion: Compared to jiu-jitsu athletes without LBP, athletes with LBP exhibit a loss of hip rotational ROM. Based on these results, clinicians and athletic trainers should measure hip rotational ROM when designing the management plan for jiu-jitsu athletes with LBP.

The study targeted Japanese employees who have visited hospital for spinal disorder. The study analyzed work environment and pain relief methods of work-related back pain patients, and the relationship between back pain and other body parts. The purpose of this study was to provide draw up measures for patients with back pain and to provide basic data for the sustainable prevention program. The study result of back pain, in other words, employees suffering from lumbago, had disparity between occupations; the highest number of patients were made up of 16-years or above long-serving employees, and below 5-years of short-serving employees. There were more patients complaining of chronic lumbago than acute lumbago, and patients recognized poor posture as the primary cause of lumbago. Furthermore, 99.5% of spinal disorder patients complain back pain, 23.2% use only alternative therapy, and 15.2% visit clinic and hospital with alternative therapy. Patients showed pain reduction and high satisfaction after using alternative therapy. The study targeted Japanese employees where complement therapy is more generalized than that of Korea, and thus there should be multilateral management programs provided in Korea as well.

앉은 자세를 장시간 유지하면 허리의 만곡에 변화가 오면서 통증이 발생하게 된다. 본 연구에서는 양반 앉은자세에 서 SPINE-GUARD(허리 안정화 벨트) 착용이 허리뼈의 코브각과 허리통증 그리고 몸통 굽힘각도의 변화에 미치는 영 향에 대해 알아보았다. 대상자 15명(남자)은 2주 동안 주 5회 매회 90분씩 벨트를 착용한 채로 영화를 감상하거나 강 의를 들었다. 허리뼈의 코브각은 착용전 48.36±14.57에서 착용후 28.09±11.63로 유의한 감소를 보였다(p<0.05). 통 증은 착용전 4.53±2.36이고, 착용후 2.733±2.153로 유의하게 감소하였다(p<0.05). 몸통의 굽힘각도 또한 착용전 82.33±20.30에서 착용 후 70.2±19.43로 유의한 감소를 보였다(p<0.05). 이것으로 보아 SPINE-GUARD의 착용은 허리뼈의 코브각 및 몸통굽힘각도의 변화 그리고 통증의 감소에 영향을 주는 것으로 사료된다.