The Correlation between Hamstring Tightness and Low Back Pain in Seated Workers Ahmed Radwan PT, DPT, PhD Thomas A. Crist, PhD
Ahmed Radwan, PT, DPT, Ph.D. Associate Professor Physical Therapy Program Thomas A. Crist, Ph.D. Professor Physical Therapy Program Copyright 2015 Ahmed Radwan and Thomas A. Crist
Anatomy of the Hamstrings
Description of the Hamstrings Three long muscles that move the hip and knee joints Located from medial to lateral: Semimembranosus Semitendinosus Biceps femoris Actions: Extend the thigh at the hip Flex the leg at the knee Medially and laterally rotate leg when knee is bent
Copyright 2007 Raymond A. Long
Attachments of the Hamstrings Proximally, attach to the pelvis at the ischial tuberosity Distally, attach to the tibia and fibula Also attached to the sacrotuberous ligament Resists anterior displacement of the sacrum Indirectly attached to the lower back muscles and fascia Extensors of the spine superficial and deep groups
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Lower back muscles and fascia Sacrotuberous ligament Tendon of biceps femoris
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Transversospinalis muscles Erector spinae muscles
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Lateral Medial
Sciatic Nerve
Mechanics of the Hamstrings We know what the hamstrings do, right?
Do they affect sacro-iliac joint stability?
Lumbar Curvature Normal curvature (lumbar lordotic angle) when standing is 20-45 degrees When sitting, lordosis is 50% less on average than in standing position Pelvis tilts posteriorly and hamstrings tighten
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Copyright Jason Martuscello
Could tightness affect all of these angles? Pelvic tilt angle (7-15 ) A. Lumbar lordotic curve (50 ) B. Lumbosacral angle (140 ) C. Sacral angle (30 ) D. Pelvic angle (30 ) Neutral pelvic position ASIS & pubic symphysis are on the same plane
Pathomechanics of Hamstring Tightness
Lumbar-pelvic Rhythm
Effect of Pelvic Tilting on Lumbar Spine Curvature
Correlation between Hamstring Tightness and LBP
Correlation between Tightness and Mechanical LBP Radwan et al. (2014) evaluated the relationship between hamstring tightness and LBP The authors examined hamstring flexibility in 72 seated workers with history of LBP All participants in the study had tight hamstrings
Measurement of Hamstring Tightness
Correlation between Tightness and Mechanical LBP Additionally, participants presented significant intrasubject differences in hamstring flexibility All dominant lower extremities were significantly more flexible than the non-dominant sides There was a significant mean difference of two degrees
Correlation between Tightness and Mechanical LBP Scores were positively and significantly correlated with the extent of their back discomfort as reported by Oswestry scores Similarly, Halbertsma et al. (2001) confirmed the presence of hamstring tightness in patients with nonspecific LBP when assessed during passive straight-leg raising tests
Oswestry Score Correlations to Hamstring Tightness Values Y= 0.234 * x + 1.823 Values of Right and Left Lower Extremity Tightness
SIJ is a Six-degree of Freedom Joint Average active movement of 0.2-2 degrees
SI Dysfunction is a Major Cause of LBP
Stretching Tight Hamstrings With Ease
Creeping Phenomenon
Anterior Tilting of Pelvis + Hip Flexion + Knee Extension for 30-60 Seconds
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References Radwan, A., Bigney, K.A., Buonomo, H.N., Jarmak, M.W., Moats, S.M., Ross, J.K., Tatarevic, E., & Tomko, M.A. (2014). Evaluation of intra-subject difference in hamstring flexibility in patients with low back pain: An exploratory study. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, [Epub ahead of print]. Rodriguez, P.L., Santonja, F.M., Lopez-Minarro, P. A., Sainz de Baranda, P., & Yuste J.L. (2008). Effect of physical education stretching programme on sit-and-reach score in schoolchildren. Science & Sports, 23, 170-175 Tenney, H.R., Boyle, K.L., and DeBord, A. (2013). Influence of hamstring and abdominal muscle activation on a positive Ober s test in people with lumbopelvic pain. Physiotherapy Canada, 65(1), 4-11.