Relationship between Somatic Dysfunction and Symptoms in Nonspecific Low Back Pain

Abstract

[Purpose] We observed the signs and symptoms of somatic dysfunction in non-specific low back pain and the activity of the autonomic nervous system to understand their trends. [Participants and Methods] Four patients with non-specific low back pain were evaluated for physical therapy, and Keele STarT Back screening. The results were compared with those of four healthy subjects. [Results] Autonomic nerve activities after spinal manipulation showed two trends: sympathetic nerve activity increased in 2 healthy subjects and parasympathetic nerve activity increased in 2 healthy subjects. Pain symptoms decreased in three low risk patients but increased in one high-risk patient. [Conclusion] The results suggest that non-specific low back pain cases with strong biopsychosocial factors may exhibit different symptoms and signs of somatic dysfunction than those without.