Thoracolumbar Fascia

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Thoracolumbar Fascia

The diagnosis of non-specific low back pain implies no known pathoanatomical cause, however there is still of discussion around the idea that the thoracolumbar fascia may be a contributor to this type of low back pain

Siegfried Mense one of the world leading researchers on muscle pain suggest that inflammation (chronic and acute) of the thoracolumbar fascia has the ability to stimulate neurogenesis of free nerve endings and sensitize nerves. 

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Berrueta, L., Muskaj, I., Olenich, S., Butler, T., Badger, G. J., Colas, R. A., . . . Langevin, H. M. (2016). Stretching Impacts Inflammation Resolution in Connective Tissue. Journal of Cellular Physiology. (OPEN ACCESS)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26588184

Bishop, J.H., Fox, J.R., ... Langevin, H.M. (2016). Ultrasound Evaluation of the Combined Effects of Thoracolumbar Fascia Injury and Movement Restriction in a Porcine Model. PLoS One. 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26820883

Corey, S. M., Vizzard, M. A., Badger, G. J., & Langevin, H. M. (2011). Sensory Innervation of the Nonspecialized Connective Tissues in the Low Back of the Rat. Cells Tissues Organs.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21411968

Corey, S. M., Vizzard, M. A., Bouffard, N. A., Badger, G. J., & Langevin, H. M. (2012). Stretching of the Back Improves Gait, Mechanical Sensitivity and Connective Tissue Inflammation in a Rodent Model. PLoS ONE. (OPEN ACCESS)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22238664

Fisher, P., Zhao, Y., Rico, M., Massicotte, V., Wade, C., Litvin, J., . . . Barbe, M. (2015). Increased CCN2, substance P and tissue fibrosis are associated with sensorimotor declines in a rat model of repetitive overuse injury. Journal of Cell Communication and Signaling. (OPEN ACCESS)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25617052

Hoheisel, U., Rosner, J., & Mense, S. (2015). Innervation changes induced by inflammation of the rat thoracolumbar fascia. Neuroscience.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26003735

Hoheisel, U., & Mense, S. (2015). Inflammation of the thoracolumbar fascia excites and sensitizes rat dorsal horn neurons. European Journal of Pain.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25056259

Klingler, W., Velders, M., Hoppe, K., Pedro, M., & Schleip, R. (2014). Clinical Relevance of Fascial Tissue and Dysfunctions. Current Pain and Headache Reports.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24962403

Langevin, H. M., Stevens-Tuttle, D., Fox, J. R., Badger, G. J., Bouffard, N. A., Krag, M. H., . . . Henry, S. M. (2009). Ultrasound evidence of altered lumbar connective tissue structure in human subjects with chronic low back pain. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. (OPEN ACCESS)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19958536

Langevin, H.M., Bishop, J., Maple, R., Badger, G.J., Fox, J.R. (2017). Effect of Stretching on Thoracolumbar Fascia Injury and Movement Restriction in a Porcine Model. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28901961

Maher, C., Underwood, M., & Buchbinder, R. (2017). Non-specific low back pain. The Lancet.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27745712

Sanjana, F., Chaudhry, H., Findley, T. (2017). Effect of MELT method on thoracolumbar connective tissue: The full study. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28167175

Schilder, A., Hoheisel, U., Magerl, W., Benrath, J., Klein, T., & Treede, R. (2014). Sensory findings after stimulation of the thoracolumbar fascia with hypertonic saline suggest its contribution to low back pain. Pain.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24076047

Schilder, A., Magerl, W., Hoheisel, U., Klein, T., & Treede, R. (2016). Electrical high-frequency stimulation of the human thoracolumbar fascia evokes long-term potentiation-like pain amplification. Pain.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27322440

Stecco, A., Stern, R., Fantoni, I., Caro, R., & Stecco, C. (2016). Fascial Disorders: Implications for Treatment. Pm&r.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26079868

Waters-Banker, C., Dupont-Versteegden, E. E., Kitzman, P. H., & Butterfield, T. A. (2014). Investigating the Mechanisms of Massage Efficacy: The Role of Mechanical Immunomodulation. Journal of Athletic Training. (OPEN ACCESS)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24641083

Wilke, J., Schleip, R., Klingler, W., Stecco, C. (2017). The Lumbodorsal Fascia as a Potential Source of Low Back Pain: A Narrative Review. Biomed Res Int. (OPEN ACCESS)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28584816

Willard, F., Vleeming, A., Schuenke, M., Danneels, L., & Schleip, R. (2012). The thoracolumbar fascia: Anatomy, function and clinical considerations. Journal of Anatomy. (OPEN ACCESS)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22630613 

Wong, K., Chai, H., Chen, Y., Wang, C., Shau, Y., & Wang, S. (2017). Mechanical deformation of posterior thoracolumbar fascia after myofascial release in healthy men: A study of dynamic ultrasound. Manual Therapy.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27847243 

Zhang, J., Mense, S., Treede, R.D., Hoheisel, U. (2017). Prevention and reversal of latent sensitization of dorsal horn neurons by glial blockers in a model of low back pain in male rats. J Neurophysiol. 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28615336