Implementation of a Classroom Program of Physiotherapy among Spanish Adolescents with Back Pain: A Collaborative Study

Abstract

<jats:p>Background: The prevalence of back pain in adolescents is steadily increasing, with negative repercussions on students’ social and academic life. This study sought to improve the ergonomics and musculoskeletal health of adolescents in secondary school by implementing physiotherapy actions within the educational context. Methods: A qualitative collaborative action research approach was used, comprising 49 students, 9 teachers, 11 family members, and 9 physiotherapists. Workshops on ergonomics, stretching, and massage were held. Visual materials were developed to support the assimilation of the information given at the workshops. Data collection included field notes, reflexive diaries, in-depth interviews, and discussion groups. The data were analyzed using the Atlas.ti 6.0 program (Scientific Software Development GmbH, Berlin, Germany). Results: The presence of a physiotherapist in the school context facilitates the acquisition of healthy postural habits. All the adolescents perceived a decrease in back pain after undergoing the program. Conclusions: physiotherapy activities offer students new tools to decrease their back pain and improve their health.</jats:p>

Effect of Physiotherapy Treatment in the Autonomic Activation and Pain Perception in Male Patients with Non-Specific Subacute Low Back Pain

“…Physiotherapy treatment for LBP generally includes a combination of mobilization, massage, and different manual therapy techniques [ 4 , 5 ], combined with active therapies such as motor control exercise [ 6 , 7 , 8 ], Pilates exercise [ 9 ], and others [ 10 ]. Some authors, analyzed different approaches offered for the treatment of back pain, suggesting the use of massage as a complement to other therapies such as mobilization or exercise [ 11 ]. Several studies reported the effectiveness of this techniques to certain degree, especially in the short term [ 3 , 5 , 12 , 13 ].…”

Back Pain Related with Age, Anthropometric Variables, Sagittal Spinal Curvatures, Hamstring Extensibility, Physical Activity and Health Related Quality of Life in Male and Female High School Students

“…This topic is also important because associations between adolescent and adult LBP has been observed [ 5 , 6 ]. Although most of the studies in adults have analyzed LBP, evidence suggests that the importance of cervical pain (CP), defined as pain experienced in the region of the cervical spine, between the boundaries of C1-C7 and across the posterior aspect of the neck [ 2 , 7 ], and thoracic spine pain (TSP), defined as pain experience in the region of the thoracic spine, between the boundaries of T1-T12 and across the posterior aspect of the trunk [ 7 ], should also be analyzed during adolescence because the incidence and prevalence of pain in different areas of the spine are high at this growth stage [ 1 , 2 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Therefore, spinal pain (SP) as a global concept that encompasses CP, TSP and LBP, defined as pain perception in the neck or back that could be influenced by spine bones, ligaments, muscles and tendons as active and passive structures [ 10 ] but also by more central structures [ 11 , 12 ], could be the key during adolescence [ 9 ].…”

Health literacy and musculoskeletal disorders in adolescents: a scoping review

“…In this scoping review, 32 studies included information about adolescents’ understanding of and knowledge about musculoskeletal health information. Some of the qualitative studies focused on the target groups’ experiences in understanding health information provided by healthcare personnel 40 44 47 50 54. For example, one study focused on adolescents’ understanding of information about scoliosis during a consultation 40.…”