A new study reports that weekly classes of intensive back stretching are equally effective at reducing low back pain and improving back movement. The Group Health Research Institute in Seattle launched a clinical trial that enrolled 228 adults. All had moderate low back pain that had lasted for at least 3 months. The study was funded by NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM).
The effectiveness of stretching was like yoga at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Compared to the self-care group, more yoga and stretching participants reduced their medication use for back pain. Those taking yoga or stretching classes also had better back functioning and were significantly more likely to rate their back pain as better or completely gone at all follow-up times.
“Our results suggest that both yoga and stretching can be good, safe options for people who are willing to try physical activity to relieve their moderate low back pain” Dr. Karen J. Sherman of the Group Health Research Institute in Seattle says.
American Society for Pain Management Nursing published the clinical study from Taiwan. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of back stretching on low back pain (LBP) and its self-efficacy. A total of 127 nurses, who had been experiencing lower back pain for longer than 6 months and had LBP with pain scores greater than 4 on the Visual Analogue Scale for Pain (VASP), were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group.
The experimental group (n = 64) followed an SEP, whereas the control group (n = 63) was directed to perform usual activities for 50 minutes per time, three times a week. Data were collected at four time points: at baseline, and 2, 4, and 6 months after the intervention.
During the 6-month follow-up, the experimental group had significantly lower VASP scores than did the control group at the second, fourth, and sixth months. In addition, the experimental group showed significantly higher exercise self-efficacy than did the control group at the fourth and sixth months. A total of 81% of the participants in the experimental group reported a moderate to high level of LBP relief.
The findings can be used to enhance self-care capabilities with SEP for nurses that experience LBP or are vulnerable to such work-related pain. SEP is an effective and safe nonpharmacological intervention for the management of LBP. It was stated by group of doctors, includes: Huei-Mein Chen, Hsiu-Hung Wang, Chung-Hey Chen, and Hsou-Mei Hu.
Another clinical study posted by Drs Mohammad Bagher Shamsi, Maryam Mirzaei, Soodeh Shahsavari, Ameneh Safari & Morteza Saeb, “Modeling the effect of static stretching and strengthening exercise in lengthened position on balance in low back pain subject with shortened hamstring: a randomized controlled clinical trial”.
The results indicate that based on GEE model, by controlling other variables, participants of static stretching exercise showed more improvement in balance than control group. Also balance status showed significant improvement in the end of study compared to baseline of the study.
BMJ journal in the article “Which specific modes of exercise training are most effective for treating low back pain?” says the following. In conclusion, our study provided evidence that various back stretching exercises are effective and should be incorporated into usual care for adults with non-specific lower back pain due to its potential for lessen pain, improving physical function, muscle strength and mental health. Importantly, back stretching exercise training was more effective than hands-on therapist treatment for reducing pain and improving physical function and mental health.
Mayo Clinic publication “Stretching: Focus on flexibility. You can stretch anytime, anywhere. Just follow these tips to do it safely and effectively.” According to them, studies about the benefits of back stretching have had mixed results. Some research shows that stretching doesn’t reduce muscle soreness after exercise. Other studies show that lengthening the muscle and holding the stretch immediately before a sprint may slightly worsen performance. However, research has shown that stretching can help improve flexibility, and, as a result, the range of motion of your joints.
You see medical doctors are actively conducting clinical research on the treatment of low back pain by stretching the back. Our traction mat has been shown to be more than 86% effective in over 40 years of history. And what is more valuable, there has not been a single case of negative side effects.
More information can be found on the Lumbarest spine stretching mat page
