Spinal height is affected throughout life from many different physiological changes and mechanical stresses, but a large portion is thought to occur primarily from intervertebral disc degeneration with resultant reduction in overall spinal height. The use of specific postures and rest periods to increase the overall spinal height has been suggested through various stadiometric research studies. This overall spinal height change can be used as a treatment tool for management of symptoms of chronic low back pain and signs of nerve root compression.
The purpose of the study is to investigate the effect of aquatic vertical suspension on spinal height, symptom location and pain intensity compared to a more commonly used land based supine flexion position.
The study will be conducted at one outpatient physical therapy clinic with subjects recruited from the local community.
A single blinded True Experimental Repeated Measure cross over design will be utilized.
Spine height will be measured using a commercially available stadiometer. Spinal height measurements will be completed after loaded walking, supine land based flexion positioning and after aquatic vertical hang.
