SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Strong core muscles make it easier to perform physical activities.  Weak core muscles leave you susceptible to abnormal gait, poor posture, low back pain and muscle injuries. The signs and symptoms of lumbopelvic deconditioning include:

• Back pain
• Back stiffness
• Feeling of back weakness
• Increased forward curve in the low back (lordosis)
• Sciatica (lumbar radiculopathy)
• Abnormal gait
• Lumbopelvic muscle weakness
• Hip and/or knee pain

CAUSES

The most common cause for lumbopelvic deconditioning is lack of physical activity and exercise. The second most common cause is poor weight management and obesity. Less common causes include:

• The presence of acute or chronic pain
• loss of nerve supply to muscle (denervation)
• muscle disease
• complications associated with spine surgery
• severe scoliosis
• spinal segment instability
• spinal segment dysfunction with associated pain

RISK FACTORS

The risk factors associated with lumbopelvic deconditioning are essentially the same as the causes. The most common risk factor for lumbopelvic deconditioning is lack of physical activity and exercise often the result of discomfort or pain. The second most common cause is poor weight management and obesity. Less common causes include:

• loss of nerve supply to muscle (denervation)
• muscle disease
• complications associated with spine surgery
• severe scoliosis
• spinal segment instability
• spinal segment dysfunction with associated pain