Muscle That Influence the Lumar Spine, Smallest Yet Most Powerful: Lumbar Multifidus

Introduction

Some authors suggested that rather than increasing the strength or hypertrophy of the trunk muscles, the aim of therapeutic exercise in LBP should be to enhance the function of trunk muscles which are thought to be preferentially suited to stabilizing the lumbar spine [1-5]. In contrast to the general approach, this strategy aims to activate the lumbar multifidus independent of the other paraspinal muscles in the initial stages of rehabilitation and to then integrate appropriate multifidus activation into functional activities [5,6]. Specific exercises have been designed to activate the lumbar multifidus in an isometric, low load, tonic manner, while maintaining a neutral lumbar spine, to restore the proposed function of the lumbar multifidus and its contribution to spinal control [5-9]. The clinical literature has focused on the deep segmental fibers of the lumbar multifidus (DM) as the target of exercise interventions [5,8,10]. This specific type of exercise approach has been demonstrated to reduce recurrence following acute LBP [11] and to reduce pain and disability in patients with chronic LBP [6].

Multifidus Muscle

The multifidus muscle is one of the smallest and very important ‘powerful’’ muscle that supports the spine. Many people think that small is insignificant, but its misconception only in this case. The multifidus muscle is a thin, long but very important muscle that extends nearly the entire length of spinal column. The only vertebra this muscle in not connected is C1. It originates from the back surface of the sacrum, the posterior superior iliac spine, the mammillary process of lumbar vertebrae, the transverse process of thoracic vertebrae, articular processes of the cervical vertebrae(C4-C7) and it inserts onto the spinous process of each vertebrae except C1.

The lumbar multifidus muscle provides lumbopelvic stability by controlling of intervertebral and sacrovertebral motion. The multifidus muscle is a series of muscles which are further divided into two groups i.e. the superficial fibers and deep fibers and both is having specific role. Recently, emphasis has shifted to the deep fibers of this muscle (DM) that DM stabilizes the lumbar spine whereas the superficial fibers of lumbar multifidus (SM) and the Erector Spinae (ES) extend and/or rotate the lumbar spine.

Role of Multifidus Muscle

The multifidus is an absolutely important muscle that stabilizes the spine. The vertebrae are under constant micro-motion feedback from the multifidus so that motion is allowed, but only a small amount in all of the right directions. Multifidi’s Problem Causing Pain and Dysfunction. The back bones are out of control and there’s too much sloppy motion. All of the extra movement can damage the disc space between the bones and the joints between them (facet joints), causing pinching of the spinal nerves. The multifidus muscles help to take pressure off the vertebral discs so that our body weight can be well distributed along the spine. Additionally, the superficial muscle group keeps our spine straight while the deep muscle group contributes significantly to the stability of our spine. These two groups of multifidus muscles are recruited during many actions in our daily living, which includes bending backward, sideways and even turning our body to the sides.

Studies have shown that the multifidus muscles get activated before any action is carried out so to protect our spine from injury. Take for example when you are about to carry an item or before moving your arm, the mutifidus muscles will start contracting prior to the actual movement of the body and the arm so as to prepare the spine for the movement and prevent it from getting hurt. In recent years, many studies have been carried out to identify the relationship between back pain and multifidus

Discussion

IThe superficial and deep fibers of the multifidus are controlled in different manner during movements of the upper limb that disturb the stability of the spine. Many studies shoes that the superficial fibers act to control orientation of spine and the deep fibers of the multifidus muscle control intersegmental stability. The segmental attachments of deep fibers provide flexibility which allow the neuromuscular system to control individual segments [13]. The deep multifidus muscle fibers has a greater proportion of slow twitch muscle fibers [14,15]. Majority of studies correlate atrophy of this muscle to pain, poor outcomes, muscle shrinking, changes in colour and functional problems. The latest research –The severity of multifidus atrophy on MRI is directly correlated with decreased ability to bend forward & back pain Disc degeneration on MRI is associated with bone changes and multifidus atrophy indication a “Whole Organ “pathology. The fatty composition of the multifidus muscles in back pain was directly correlated to poor physical function. erch Phys. Since most of the studies conducted since 1993 show that multifidus atrophy is a real problem associated with back pain. There are many evidences of impairment of the multifidus in Back pain patients and pain has a adverse effect on the deep multifidus muscle which results as inhibition of this muscle, in other words pain itself can induce inhibition of the multifidus muscle. Different studies show LBP patients having wasting of multifidus.Conclusion

The superficial fibers of the multifidus and erector spinae are controlled in a direction-specific manner, consistent with control of spine orientation. However, the deep fibers of the multifidus may have a role in the control of intersegmental rotational and shear forces, probably through the exertion of compressive force between segments. When the vertical forces associated with arm movement are increased, such as during movement about 90° flexion, there may be no requirement for the deep multifidus fibers to contribute to this end. Consequently, the deep multifidus is active in a similar fashion in relation to the other trunk muscles. The current study raises possible implications for the study and treatment of back pain. Previous research has demonstrated robust abnormalities of TrA motor control, which contributes to spine stability in patients with back pain [16,17]. Other studies have reported changes in multifidus morphology [18,19] which may affect the deep portion of the muscle. The deep multifidus is controlled in a manner similar to TrA in asymptomatic subjects, and also may contribute to the control of intervertebral motion. Therefore, investigation of deep multifidus activity in clinical populations is warranted.Currently, multifidus dysfunction is being increasingly implicated as a contributory factor in the development or recurrence of sub-acute and chronic mechanical back complaints. The current contribution wants to give insight into the anatomical structure of the multifidus and its response to LBP as crucial components for the development of accurate preventive and intervention strategies for LBP patients.

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