Lower Back

Lumbar spine region is also reffered to as Lower back.
It’s situated between the thoracic spine (upper back) and the sacrum (lower part of the pelvis).
The lumbar spine is made up of five vertebrae, numbered L1 through L5.

 

Different regions of the spine

Weakness causes

Specific

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Inflammatory arthritis
  • Osteoporosis
  • Herniated Disc

Nonspecific

  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Stress
  • Smoking
  • Lack of exercise
  • Improper posture  Ex: sitting for longer periods with improper posture.
  • Overweight
  • Sudden increase in load of spine Ex: lifting weights when you are not used to
  • Anxiety or depression

Strengthen by

  • Lumbar flexion
  • Building muscle strength
  • Relaxing the stiffness
  • Destraining the overstretched

Anatomy

Posterior 

Superficial to Deeper

  • Latissimus dorsi
  • Thoracolumbar fascia
  • Posterior abdominal muscles

Anterior

Superficial to Deeper

  • Posterior abdominal muscles

Major Functions

Enabling movement

Allows for bending forward, lifting, and arching the lower back. Movements such as picking up objects and engaging in various sports activities.

Posture

The muscles of the back and spine work together to maintain a healthy posture.
Proper posture helps distribute weight evenly, reduces strain on the spine, and improves overall body alignment.

Supporting body weight

The lumbar spine bears most of the upper body weight and distributes it into the legs.
This support is crucial for maintaining balance and stability, especially during activities like standing, walking, and lifting.

 

Protecting Spinal Cord

Spinal flexion also assists in stabilizing the vertebral column and plays a role in proprioception (awareness of body position) and balance.
The flexibility of the spine allows for adjustments in posture and movement, further protecting the spinal cord from injury.

Bibliography

  1. Healthdirect Australia. (n.d.). Back pain — an overview. Healthdirect. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/back-pain