Osteopathic Research Web

The effect of diaphragmatic release on non-asthmatic upper thorax breathers with lumbar pain - a single case study

Item

Title

The effect of diaphragmatic release on non-asthmatic upper thorax breathers with lumbar pain - a single case study

Author(s)

James, S

Abstract

Background: Non specific low back pain (NSLBP) is a global issue, resulting in increasing economic costs. There is a higher recorded prevalence of NSLBP in western countries however as third world countries develop and the overall population ages (Hoy etal.2012), reports of this condition are on the increase. Further studies are required to establish the exact trajectory (Williams et al. 2015). To date there has been no successful single intervention for sufferers of NSLBP with treatment favouring NSAID and pain control (NHS 201sa). Manual therapy interventions are varied without one specific intervention being targeted as successful to many individuals (Stanton et al. 2011). Objective: To explore if engagement of the diaphragm muscle during regular stretching exercises in the population most susceptible to NSLBP has an effect on their pain levels. Design: A single case study (ABAB). Methods: The participants were female, aged between 45 and 6s, diagnosed as obese by their GP (NHs guidelines (NHS 2016)), had no diagnosed breathing disorders or pathotogies involved with NSLBP causation. NSLBP, measured via Numerical Rating scale (Hjermstad et al. 2011) was recorded daily over an 8 week period. A self-applied diaphragm release/stretch technique was performed by the participants periodically during phases 2 and 4 of the study. Lumbar ranges of movement (flexion) were recorded periodicaily using schober test method (Tousignant et ar. 2005) as a secondary measure of interest. Results: Results are inconclusive as one participant showed a reduction in pain and the other did not' Pain reduction was discernible during the active diaphragm release phases (B) of the study with both participants. Discussion: The results of this study are encouraging that this intervention could be useful in treatment of NSLBP' External influences, timings of the stretching and lifestyle of the participants may have skewed data and this should be of note to future researchers. Conclusion: Diaphragm stretches were not found to significantly reduce or increase lumbar pain over the study period for both participants. Future studies incorporating stricter regimens and accounting for other external influences may allow further development of this single intervention into a valid multLuser treatment for NSLBP.

presented at

European School of Osteopathy

Date Accepted

2017

Date Submitted

4.12.2017 17:06:21

Type

osteo_thesis

Language

English

Submitted by:

62

Pub-Identifier

16041

Inst-Identifier

1229

Keywords

Diaphragm, Lumbar, Single-case

Recommended

0

Item sets

Thesis

James, S, “The effect of diaphragmatic release on non-asthmatic upper thorax breathers with lumbar pain - a single case study”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 4, 2025, https://www.osteopathicresearch.org/s/orw/item/495