Applications of Spinal Shrinkage to Subjects with Low Back Pain

Chronic low back pain affects between 9% and 12% of distance runners (Devereaux and Lachmann 1980; Lutter 1980). It has been suggested that compressive loading which is unavoidable in running, is a possible cause of low back pain (Hirch 1955). Changes in vertebral dimensions are reflected in changes in stature. Therefore decreases in stature have been used to indicate the load on the spine in exercise (Corlett et al. 1987).