The Biomechanics of Back Pain

Authored by experts of international renown, the new edition of The Biomechanics of Back Pain forms a bridge between the latest research and the effective clinical management of patients with back problems. Now published for the first time in full colour, the volume presents a unique synthesis of the latest research findings and explains its recent changes in emphasis - from trying to understand and reverse age-related spinal degeneration to addressing the soft tissue causes of pain. New chapters are devoted to Sensorimotor Control, and Cervical Spine Anatomy and Biomechanics, while a bonus website contains useful PowerPoint presentations, which include seminars entitled Back Pain and Forces on the Spine as well as an overview of the Psychosocial Flags Framework. Clinically orientated and highly practical throughout, The Biomechanics of Back Pain has become the standard platform by which readers keep abreast of research and developments in the field and is essential for all clinicians involved in the care and treatment of patients with back pain, as well as for those studying its causes and methods of prevention. New to this edition Additional chapters devoted to Sensorimotor Control, and Cervical Spine Anatomy and Biomechanics Includes more than 350 new references Now published in full colour with improved page design and navigation Bonus website containing useful PowerPoint presentations, which include seminars entitled Back Pain and Forces on the Spine as well as an overview of the Psychosocial Flags Framework Author Info By Michael A. Adams, BSc PhD, Professor of Biomechanics, Centre for Comparative and Clinical Anatomy, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Nikolai Bogduk, BSc(Med) MB BS MD PhD DSc DipAnat DipPainMed FAFRM FAFMM FFPM(ANZCA), Professor of Pain Medicine, University of Newcastle and Head, Department of Clinical Research, Royal Newcastle Hospital, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia; Kim Burton, OBE DO PhD Hon FFOM, Director, Spinal Research Unit, Centre for Health and Social Care Research, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK and Patricia Dolan, BSc PhD, Reader in Spine Biomechanics, Centre for Comparative and Clinical Anatomy, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK Table of Contents: 1. Introduction 2. The vertebral column and adjacent structures 3. Muscles and fascia of the lumbar spine 4. Nerves and blood supply to the lumbar spine 5. Back pain 6. Epidemiology of back trouble 7. Biology of spinal tissues 8. Growth and ageing of the spine 9. Forces acting on the thoracolumbar spine 10. Mechanical function of the thoracolumbar spine 11. Mechanical damage to the thoracolumbar spine 12. Cervical spine biomechanics 13. Posture, creep and "functional pathology" 14. Sensorimotor control 15. Spinal degeneration 16. Preventing back pain 17. Conservative management of back pain 18. Biomechanics rationale for spinal surgery 19. Surgery for disc prolapse, spinal stenosis and back pain 20. Medico-legal considerations 21. Summary and Conclusions