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Pain and Dysfunction of the Lumbar Spine and Pelvic Region
Back and pelvic pain affects a large percentage of the western populations today, and can strike irrespective of fitness level, gender, or occupation. It can affect the daily life of young and old, hindering full potential at work, home or during sporting activities.
The significance of the pelvis in producing low back pain and referred pain into the buttock or legs, is becoming increasingly evident (Lee, 1989; Vleeming, 1995). Schwarzer et al (1995) found 18 - 35% of their chronic low back pain patient population sample to have symptoms related to the sacroiliac joint of the pelvis.
The symptoms of pelvic pain are varied- from pain with sitting and rising from sitting, pain in the pelvic and buttock region with walking or standing on one leg, groin pain, or even altered control of bladder function. Pelvic dysfunction often occurs after a fall onto the bottom or knee, a lifting injury, or may occur during labour. If you think you may be suffering from the symptoms of lumbar or pelvic dysfunction, please seek the advice of a medical practitioner or health professional who has a special interest in this area.
The document below was written to provide information to therapists about the anatomy of the pelvis and how it maintains its stability. If you wish to use any part of this document, please reference it accordingly.
Articles by Barbara Hungerford
- Anatomical and Biochemical considerations
related to assessment of Pelvic Dysfunction
- The Integrated Pelvis