Pain in patients with chronic low back pain, its relationship with the autonomic nervous system and manual therapy

Abstract

Currently, a large number of patients seek Physiotherapy with complaints of chronic low back pain, which may be associated with structural dysfunctions such as physical trauma, as well as linked to psychophysiological factors such as stress, directly impacting quality of life. The aim of this research was to correlate chronic low back pain with autonomic nervous system disorders, as well as its potential relevance in the causality of somatic dysfunction, in order to propose possible assessment and treatment interventions through manual therapy. This is a descriptive exploratory cross-sectional field research, with a sample of 40 people of both sexes aged between 18 and 56 years. An anamnesis was carried out only once and individually. Application of the Visual Analog Scale, Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire - 9 and Lipp's Stress Symptoms Inventory. Assessment of the injury chain, Gillet Test, Sitting Flexion Test, evaluation of cranial components, pubis, visceral dermalgias and Mitchel Test. The results obtained show important correlations between somatic dysfunctions, pain and depressive symptoms with autonomic disorders obtained through visceral changes and stress level. Thus, concluding the inclusion of the patient in the biopsychosocial model and observing the possible influence of the autonomic nervous system on a chronic low back pain, further studies are suggested to reaffirm this relationship and evaluate the intervention of physical therapy treatment through manual therapy with this profile of patients.