The Neuromechanics of Movement in Relation to Low Back Pain

The primary objective of this project is to assess the effects of nociception and intervertebral disc damage in the lumbar area and their interaction on trunk neuromuscular control of posture and movement in a rat model for low-back pain. A secondary objective is to investigate adaptation of trunk musculature in response to intervertebral disc damage.

The ultimate goal of our project is to identify root causes of neuromuscular control changes in low back pain in rats, to provide a scientific basis for evaluating and improving existing treatments in humans, as well as developing new and more specific treatment strategies for low back pain. With the data that we will collect, we expect to advise the clinic about the simple and cost-effective method of defining different root causes for low back pain by measuring the back-muscle activity, in order to choose the most appropriate and individual specific treatment methods.