LWS syndrome – what exactly is behind the term? | Physiotherapy for a LWS syndrome

LWS syndrome – what exactly is behind the term?

In general, complaints of the lower spine are referred to as lumbar spine syndrome – or lumbar spine syndrome for short. The lower back, the so-called lumbar spine, is affected by a large part of the back problems and clinical pictures of the spine. In most cases, the back pain is non-specific – that is, without a recognizable cause.

If the pain suddenly occurs after a (wrong) movement, it is commonly referred to as lumbago. Often, the pain of a lumbar spine syndrome is accompanied by a feeling of instability, reduced resilience or reduced mobility. The different symptoms result from the different causes of the lumbar spine syndrome.

Connection between spinal column and lumbar spine syndrome

In order to make the problem understandable, first the anatomical structure of the spine, the strong mast of the back, is explained. Viewed from the side, the spine is shaped like an S and consists of 24 vertebral bodies – 5 in the lumbar spine, 12 in the thoracic spine and 7 in the cervical spine – and their intervertebral discs, which are stored intermediately as buffers and load distributors. A stabilizing ligamentous apparatus extends from head to pelvis between the individual vertebrae and along the entire length.

This is known as passive stability. The cervical spine is curved forward. This bulge is called lordosis.

This is followed by the thoracic spine, which is curved backwards – a so-called kyphosis. Finally, the lumbar spine follows – again a lordosis. In the case of an excessively pronounced lumbar lordosis, usually due to a too weak abdominal musculature, the typical hollow back develops.After the lumbar spine, the sacrum and coccyx follow, both again curved backwards in the sense of a kyphosis.

Furthermore, there is the active stability, which is formed by the strong trunk musculature. The back and abdominal muscles form a muscular corset that protects, supports and moves the passive system. Depending on the structure and course, some muscles primarily have a holding function and others take over the movement function.

Another important structure in the area of the spine are the nerves. These originate in the spinal canal and, as spinal nerves, pass through small holes between the vertebrae. From there they move to different parts of the body to supply them with orders from the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

The different body regions also transmit information to the central nervous system. If a part of this complex spinal system is affected, the typical symptoms known as lumbar spine syndrome occur. Unstable ligaments, too weak muscles, incorrect posture and/or overloading of the intervertebral discs as well as the constriction of the nerves (spinal stenosis) in their exit holes often lead to movement-dependent pain.