SIB #370 Upper Back Pain in Postmenopausal Women

The Study: Upper back pain in postmenopausal women and associated physical characteristics.

The Facts:

a. The authors noted that the characteristics of postmenopausal women with thoracic pain are not well understood.

b. This is a cross sectional study.

c. They wanted to look at the physical characteristics of healthy postmenopausal women who suffered from upper back pains.

d. The patients were asked to identify if they had upper back pain (thoracic pain).

e. They also rated the severity of the pain.

f. The authors also measured height, weight, mineral bone density, calculated breast size and, “Upper back extensor muscle endurance was tested using the isometric chest raise test.”

g. In addition they looked at upper back extension and used x-ray to measure thoracic kyphosis and also evaluated posture through the use of digital photographs.

h. “After adjusting for age, differences in upper back pain severity were explained by upper back extensor muscle endurance  (p = <0.001) and lean mass (p = 0.01).” 

i. “Conclusion: As a modifiable physical characteristic of postmenopausal women with upper back pain, upper back extensor muscle endurance is worth considering clinically.”

Take Home:

Paying attention to upper thoracic extensors is important for these types of patients.

Reviewer's Comments:

I like that they measured the kyphosis, I like that they measured the muscular endurance. I like people that measure things, it might be the beginning of science.

Reviewer: Roger Coleman DC

Editor: Mark R. Payne DC

 Reference: Spencer L, McKenna L, Fary R, Jacques A, Briffa K. Upper back pain in postmenopausal women and associated physical characteristics. PLoS One 2019 Jul 31;14(7):e0220452. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220452. eCollection 2019.

 Link to Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31365548