Musculoskeletal Risk Factors for Back Pain

A recent research review set out to identify musculoskeletal risk factors that can be treated clinically before the onset of lower back pain (LBP). Investigators found twelve articles that evaluated musculoskeletal risk factors for the development of lower back pain, which included a total of 5,459 participants. The researchers found a link between an increased risk of developing LBP and restriction in side bending in the low back, restriction of hamstring range of motion, and limited lumbar lordosis. These findings may allow clinicians to screen for and identify risk factors that could potentially reduce costs and improve the quality of life of many individuals by preventing the development of back pain. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, May 2017