Date
12-16-2025
Department
School of Health Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences (PhD)
Chair
Michael Olson
Keywords
Non-specific chronic low back pain, muscle tonus, stability, imbalances, corrective exercises, general exercises, treatment, muscle weakness
Disciplines
Health and Physical Education | Rehabilitation and Therapy
Recommended Citation
Tardiff, Jeffrey S., "Improving Muscle Tonus of “Weak” Muscles in Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Case Series Addressing the Role and Impact of Proprioceptive Response and Isolated Isometric Exercises" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7844.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7844
Abstract
Nonspecific chronic low back pain affects most people through-out the world at some point within their lives, negatively impacting 80%-90% of the overall population, their families, and their communities. Thus far, the outcome of most studies indicate that the best form of treatment for this specific problem is a form of resistance training exercises, core stability exercises, mobilization, manual therapy, and or proprioceptive training with no consensus on which provides the best outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore an individualized approach in treatment utilizing methods shown to improve muscle tonus or “stability” in muscles of the abdomen, spine, and pelvic regions that fail in their ability to respond to and control external resistance on command in order to improve muscle function that will decrease pain while increase their quality of life. This study is a quantitative case series that follows 8 individuals, experiencing non-specific chronic low pain, through-out their 6-week treatment plan that focuses on proprioceptive stimulation and muscle specific isometric exercises. The study measured the muscles’ capability for responding to and maintaining control under the demand of resistance through an initial test, after manual proprioceptive stimulation, and after specific muscle targeted isometric exercises. The data was analyzed for the purpose of identifying whether the methods utilized do improve the muscle tonus of muscles that are identified as weak or non-respondent. The participants’ pain levels and perceived quality of life were measured through questionnaires at the initial start of the study, every two weeks through-out the study, and again at the end of the treatment in order to discuss how the findings of this study may have a role in future studies in this population.
