Assessment of overload changes in the lumbar spine of employees with sedentary nature of work

Magdalena Zygmańska, Anna Błaszczyk, Katarzyna Wegner, Włodzimierz Samborski, Małgorzata Ogurkowska

M. Zygmańska, A. Błaszczyk, K. Wegner, W. Samborski, M. Ogurkowska – Assessment of overload changes in the lumbar spine of employees with sedentary nature of work; Fizjoterapia Polska 2018; 18(1); 62-73

Abstract

Objective. The objective of the study was to specify the lumbar spine overload changes in women and men working in a sitting position and to establish when the feeling of discomfort intensifies.
Static position for a long periods of time leads to lumbar spine overload changes. Apart from professional risk factors, sedentary lifestyle also has a tremendous impact on degenerative changes in intervertebral discs.
Material and Methodology. A survey was conducted among 62 office employees, 29 women and 33 men aged 23-61, from a selected corporation, who experienced lumbar pain episodes. The survey was based on the subjective part of the McKenzie method test supplemented with an anthropometric part.
Results. Lumbar pain was reported by 84% percent of the subjects, with the somatic symptoms gender-differentiated and co-occurrence of neck and lumbar pain/discomfort. The pain intensified proportionately to the subjects’ age and when performing professional duties.
Conclusion. Although there are reports on the development of overload changes, sedentary work continues to cause back pain. Cervical and lumbar discomfort is indicative of compensation. An inappropriate sitting position is the reason for accelerated development of overload changes and the related pain.

Key words:

spine, low back pain, musculoskeletal system, work ergonomics, occupational risk

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