Many people suffer from a condition called lumbar hyperlordosis, which is an excessive inward curvature of the lower back. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and even numbness in the lumbar region.

Fortunately, researchers have been exploring different exercise approaches to help alleviate this problem. In a recent study published in the International Journal of Health Sciences and Research, a team of scientists compared the effectiveness of two exercise methods – Egoscue exercises and lumbar stabilization exercises – in managing lumbar hyperlordosis among individuals.

The study involved 30 participants aged 18-40 years old with lumbar hyperlordosis, who were randomly assigned to two groups.

• One group performed Egoscue exercises, which focus on improving whole-body postural alignment through a series of corrective exercises targeting joint mobility and stability.
• The other group did lumbar stabilization exercises, which aim to strengthen the deep muscles around the spine to improve stability and support.
• After four weeks of following their respective exercise programs, the researchers found that both groups experienced a significant reduction in their excessive lower back curvature.

However, the Egoscue exercise group showed more promising results, with greater improvements in reducing lumbar hyperlordosis, decreasing pain levels during movement, and enhancing physical function compared to the lumbar stabilization exercise group. This study suggests that targeting overall posture through exercises like Egoscue may be a more effective approach for managing lower back issues related to hyperlordosis.

Lumbar Hyperlordosis Study using Egoscue and Lumbar Stabilization

The study entitled “Comparative Effect of Egoscue Exercises and Lumbar Stabilization Exercises in Asymptomatic Individuals with Lumbar Hyperlordosis” is a research paper published in the International Journal of Health Sciences and Research in June 2023. It presents a study aimed at comparing the effectiveness of two exercise interventions for managing lumbar hyperlordosis, a condition characterized by an excessive inward curvature of the lower back.

Introduction:

The paper begins by defining lumbar hyperlordosis, also known as swayback or hollow back, as a spinal condition involving an excessive C-shaped posterior curve in the lumbar region [Introduction]. While a natural inward curvature (lordosis) is normal, hyperlordosis refers to an extreme curvature that can lead to pain, discomfort, and numbness [Introduction]. Potential causes of lumbar hyperlordosis include poor posture, muscle imbalance, obesity, improper movement or lifting, wearing high heels, osteoporosis, kyphosis, and lack of exercise [1].

When the lordotic angle of the lumbar spine exceeds 45 degrees, it is considered hyperlordosis [Introduction]. Excessive curvature can damage the spine and soft tissues in the lumbar region, leading to muscle stiffness and tightness in the lower back [Introduction]. The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of two exercise interventions: Egoscue exercises and lumbar stabilization exercises, in managing lumbar hyperlordosis in asymptomatic individuals.

Methods:

The study involved a sample of 30 participants aged 18-40 years with lumbar hyperlordosis, randomly divided into two groups: Group A (n=15) and Group B (n=15) [Methods]. Group A received Egoscue exercises, while Group B received lumbar stabilization exercises [Procedure]. Participants’ degree of lumbar lordosis and percentage of lumbar lordosis were assessed using the Index of Lumbar Lordosis [Parameters].

The Egoscue exercises included static back exercises, abdominal contractions, abductor press, upper spinal twist, pelvic tilts, supine groin progression, overhead extension, elbow curls, and air bench [Procedure, Table 1]. The lumbar stabilization exercises focused on crook lying, leg extensions, prone lying with arm/head movements, plank position, quadruped position, and sitting exercises [Procedure].

Both groups received their respective exercise interventions for a total duration of 4 weeks, with increasing frequency from 3 times per week in the first week to 5 times per week by the fourth week [Methods].

Results:

The study found a statistically significant reduction in lumbar hyperlordosis in both Group A (Egoscue exercises) and Group B (lumbar stabilization exercises) in response to treatment [Result].

In the comparison of Degree of Lumbar Lordosis (DLL), the unpaired ‘t’ value of 5.58 was greater than the tabulated ‘t’ value of 2.05, indicating a significant difference at the 0.05 level [Results]. This demonstrated that Group A showed more significant improvements in reducing lumbar hyperlordosis compared to Group B [Results].

Similarly, in the comparison of Percentage of Lumbar Lordosis (PLL), the unpaired ‘t’ value of 4.91 was greater than the tabulated ‘t’ value of 2.05, further confirming the superior effectiveness of the Egoscue exercises in Group A over the lumbar stabilization exercises in Group B [Results].

The study also analyzed the daily Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores reported by participants. While there was no significant change in pain at rest, the movement VAS pain scores decreased significantly in the Egoscue exercise group (Group A) compared to the control group (Group B) [Results, Figure 1].

Additionally, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores, which assess function and pain, showed significant improvements in the Egoscue exercise group (Group A) after two weeks, but not in the control group (Group B) [Results, Table 3, Figure 2]. The exercise group demonstrated a 60%, 67%, and 51% relative decrease in total WOMAC, function, and pain subscores, respectively, at the end of week 2 [Results].

Discussion:

The authors discussed the findings in relation to previous research on corrective exercises and their effects on posture and pain. They noted that while studies have examined corrective exercises for isolated locations like the spine or shoulders [17, 18], no studies have previously investigated a whole-body postural assessment approach for chronic knee and hip pain [Discussion].

The authors also acknowledged the study’s limitations, including the short duration, which may not have been long enough to observe actual changes in postural alignment, the lack of supervision during exercise sessions, and the potential for lifestyle factors to influence pain levels [Discussion].

Conclusion:

Based on the statistical analysis, the study concluded that both exercise groups showed significant improvement, but the Egoscue exercises were more beneficial for lumbar hyperlordosis correction than lumbar stabilization exercises [Conclusion]. The authors suggested that future research should investigate the effects of Egoscue exercises on posture and pain in other body regions, as well as long-term follow-up studies to determine the sustainability of the beneficial effects [Discussion].

Overall, this research paper provides valuable insights into the comparative effectiveness of Egoscue exercises and lumbar stabilization exercises in managing lumbar hyperlordosis and associated back pain. The findings suggest that the whole-body postural alignment approach of Egoscue exercises may be a promising intervention for individuals suffering from excessive inward curvature of the lower back.

Source of the Study:

[1] Saranya, P., Thenmozhi, M.P., Dhasaradharaman, K., Robert, F., Anantharaj, K., & Soniya, G. (2023). Comparative Effect of Egoscue Exercises and Lumbar Stabilization Exercises in Asymptomatic Individuals with Lumbar Hyperlordosis. International Journal of Health Sciences and Research, 13(6), 255-259.
DOI (Digital Object Identifier): https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20230641