Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate changes in subjects with chronic lower back pain following lower back pain exercises and direct stretching of the tensor fasciae latae, the hamstring and the adductor magnus.[Subjects] The subjects were nine sufferers of chronic lower back pain (five female, four male) as well as eight healthy adults (six male, two female) as the control group.[Method] Exercise therapy with proven effectiveness was performed as the control intervention and direct stretching of the tensor fasciae latae, the hamstring and the adductor magnus was performed as the experimental intervention in a randomised controlled trial. Six items of evaluation pain measured on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Finger Floor Distance (FFD), maximum pelvic anterior inclination, maximum pelvic posterior inclination, pelvic range of motion and posterior lumbar flexibility (PLF) The results were compared using Student's were measured before and after the intervention. The six items of evaluation were carried out in a random order. A t-test was used and a significance level was set at below 5%.[Results] A significant improvement in VAS, FFD, maximum pelvic anterior inclination, maximum pelvic posterior inclination, pelvic range of motion and PLF were observed in the chronic lower back pain group after the experimental intervention. However, the only improvement observed after the experimental intervention in the control group was in FFD. There were no significant changes in either group after control intervention.[Conclusion] This study has suggested that direct stretching of the tensor fasciae latae, the hamstring and the adductor magnus may have an immediate effect on chronic lower back pain.

The object of this study was to examine the application and outcomes of exercise therapy based on clinical anatomy of the shoulder joint. [Subjects] The subjects were 20 men diagnosed as having frozen shoulder: mean age, 54.0  3.3; 14 right and 6 left shoulders. [Method] After performing conventional exercise therapy, physical therapy based on clinical anatomy was performed. The treatment consisted of: 1) upper arm axis rotation utilizing the shoulder joint range of motion (ROM); 2) direct extension of the fifth and sixth heads of the muscle belly of the subscapular muscles; 3) application of light massage to the intersection of the teres minor muscle and the triceps brachii; and 4) application of light massage to the suprascapular vein. Treatments 1) to 4) were all applied in a random manner. According to the presence or absence of scapula immobility, shoulder joint flexion, abduction and internal and external rotation as well as The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, which assesses general shoulder function and pain, were assessed, and their values at the end of 4 weeks intervention were investigated with the t test. [Results] Significant increases in shoulder joint ROM, flexion, abduction, and internal and external rotation were found with both scapula mobility and immobility. The JOA score showed a significant increase from 15.0  6.0 to 25.7  3.0. [Conclusion] We consider that for conditions in which extension of the shoulder in the upward direction causes pain in the peripheral secondary shoulder joints or for decreases of ROM in the scapulohumeral joint, exercise therapy based on clinical anatomy should be tried before surgery as an effective measure of conservative treatment.

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[Purpose] A 3-month follow-up study was conducted on a patient diagnosed with acute nonspecfic lumbago. Direct stretching (DS) of the tensor fasciae latae muscle (TFLM) was performed, and an immediate effect was confirmed. [Subjects] The case subject was a 60-year-old woman diagnosed with acute nonspecific lumbago. [Methods] We used a single-case study design and an AB-type study structure, in which the leg was placed in positions that relieved the back pain in period A and DS of the TFLM was performed in period B. The evaluation indices were the visual analog scale (VAS), finger-to-floor distance (FFD), and posterior lumbar flexibility (PLF), which were analyzed using the binomial test. [Results] The VAS, FFD, and PLF in period B showed significant improvement when compared with period A. Additionally, complaints of lower back pain ceased after 2 weeks, and the results of the follow-up study showed no recurrence of back pain during the 3 months. [Conclusion] The results of this study suggest that DS of the TFLM has an immediate effect on acute nonspecific lumbago in addition to long-term pain relief effects.

To compare spinal curvature and trunk muscle activity during slump sitting and upright sitting between a kneeling chair and a conventional chair. [Subjects] The subjects were 10 healthy adult women (25.7 ± 4.9 years). [Methods] Trunk muscle activity and spinal curvature were measured with the subjects maintaining slump sitting and upright sitting postures on the conventional and kneeling chairs. [Results] Subjects had a significantly more lordotic spinal curvature when maintaining a slump sitting posture on a kneeling chair than on a conventional chair. In addition, they had significantly lower trunk muscle activity when maintaining a upright sitting posture on a kneeling chair than on a conventional chair. [Conclusion] These results suggest that, compared to a conventional chair, the use of a kneeling chair enables a more efficient upright sitting posture with lower trunk muscle activity, as well as a more efficient slump sitting posture with a smaller reduction in lordosis of the lumbar spine.