Abstract

SPINAL MOBILITY IN GRADUATED PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Roma Raykar, Saloni Shah*, Ankita Dabshede, Mrudula Sangaonkar and Tushar J. Palekar

Abstract

Background: The nature of the work in a physiotherapy practice is physically demanding, and it involves repetitive tasks, high-force manual techniques for treating patients, techniques that exert direct pressure on certain joints during treatment, awkward positioning of joints during certain maneuvers and prolonged constrained postures. These physical factors expose physiotherapists to various work-related musculoskeletal injuries. The incidence of WRMDs among physiotherapists was highest in low back, neck, shoulders and upper back. Objective: The study was carried out to assess Spinal Range of Motion using inch tape for cervical spine and lumbar spine, to compare the acquired data with the normative data of spinal range of motion for cervical and lumbar spine and to find out the incidence of deviation in spinal ranges from the normal for cervical and lumbar spine if any and to compare the deviations if any with the number of working hours, years of experience and posture attained for maximum time, if any. Materials and Methods: A study was carried out with 80 participants that included postgraduate students and staffs of Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Physiotherapy, the data collected was analyzed using graphs and tables and presented in a tabular format. Results and Conclusion: The study concluded that there are deviations in spinal range of motion of graduated physiotherapist due to nature of work, hours and years of work. Study shows that lumbar flexion range is maximally affected and maximum physiotherapist reported back pain amongst the musculoskeletal disorders.

Keywords: Spinal mobility, cervico-lumbar range of motion, inch tape.