When the spine is rotating, its movement is coupled, which means that each individual spinal joint rotates only slightly, but those rotations add up to a pretty substantial range.
The lumbar spine allows movements in all 6 degrees of motion, which can be divided into three rotations around and three translations along the principal axes of a coordinate system. The most important aspect of lumbar biomechanics is the translation that occurs during flexion and extension. [1]
In the lumbar spine, coupled movements depend on the position of the spine (neutral, flexion, extension) and the structure of the articular processes that limit or support movements in different planes. [2] [3]
In neutral and extended positions, lateral flexion is coupled with rotation to the opposite side. In flexion, lateral flexion is coupled with rotation to the same side. However, these patterns are not absolute and may vary between individuals due to anatomical differences, posture, or previous injuries
What’s more, as people are not able to consciously dictate movement of a single vertebra alone, people often don’t acknowledge when something is off on that level, because the whole spine seems to be still working fine.
In reality, having even one non-cooperating vertebra can significantly decrease total spinal range of motion. This can also lead to compensations in adjacent segments or other joints, like the hips or thoracic spine, potentially causing further dysfunction.
Finding a way to mobilize and build muscular control around it is a good direction for regaining full power of the body.
- Wilke, Hans-Joachim, i David Volkheimer. „Basic Biomechanics of the Lumbar Spine”. Biomechanics of the Spine, Elsevier, 2018, s. 51–67. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-812851-0.00004-5
- Pettman, Erl. “Manipulative Thrust Techniques: An Evidence Based Approach” Aardvark Pub, 2006
- Banton, R. A. “Biomechanics of the spine”. Journal of The Spinal Reserch Foundation, FALL 2012 vol. 7, no. 2