Objective

Comparing lumbar muscle activation levels in a normal relaxed stance and in an upright anatomically correct position before and after an ATM concept treatment using an ATM2 system.

Equipment used

• ATM2-Pro by BackProject Corporation
• MyoVision sEMG with the Baseline 3D sEMG protocol

sEMG Electrode Placement

1. Five electrodes used on the patient’s back.
2. Electrodes placed on left & right side of spine, approx. 1-2 inches away from the center of the spine at L1 & L5.
3. Fifth electrode as a ground,placed Just about at the scapula.

                               

Instructions to Patient

1. Patient instructed to stand in his or her normal relaxed stance with his or her back to the wall, but not touching it for about 15 seconds (Pic. 1).
2. Patient instructed to transition to an anatomical correct position by leaning flat against the wall, with the back, hands and head (Pic. 2) for an additional 15 seconds.

                               

Pic. 1                                            Pic.2

Patient Bio

Female, age: early 50's Chronic low back pain for more than 6 months.

Note

This study was repeated with four (4) other patients - all with similar results.

Session 1:

• Prior to first ATM2 intervention, big differences in muscle activation levels were observed between left and right sides in both the normal stance and anatomical posture.
• Intervention: Patient facing ATM2 main pad, two belts positioned at top and bottom of pelvis, third belt at L4-5 level. Belts continuously adjusted until patient could extend her back to full range of motion and totally pain-free. While pelvis repositioned and compressed, patient instructed to extend her back as hard as she could against an isometric resistance for ten (10) times (all movements totally pain-free). While still in the holding, ten hip extensions for each leg was prescribed.
• Post ATM2 intervention, sEMG results indicated immediate calming and normalization of muscle activation levels during the normal stance, but no significant changes in the anatomical posture.

Session 2 (7 days later):

• Prior to second ATM2 intervention, significantly less differences, in muscle activation levels were observed between left and right sides in the normal stance. No significant changes were observed in the anatomical posture.
• Intervention (same as in session 1): Patient facing ATM2 main pad, two belts positioned at top and bottom of pelvis, third belt at L4-5 level. Belts continuously adjusted until patient could extend her back to full range of motion and totally pain-free. While pelvis repositioned and compressed, patient instructed to extend her back as hard as she could against an isometric resistance for ten (10) times (all movements totally pain-free). While still in the holding, ten hip extensions for each leg was prescribed.
• Post ATM2 intervention, sEMG results indicated immediate calming and normalization of muscle activation levels during the normal stance, but again no significant changes in the anatomical posture.

Session 3 (14 days later):

• Prior to third ATM2 intervention, significantly less differences, in muscle activation levels were observed between left and right sides in the normal stance. Still no significant changes were observed in the anatomical posture.
• Intervention: Patient facing away from the ATM2 main pad, two belts positioned at top and bottom of pelvis, third belt at L4-5 level. Belts continuously adjusted until patient could flex her back to full range of motion and totally pain-free. While pelvis repositioned and compressed, patient instructed to flex her back as hard as she could against an isometric resistance for ten (10) times (all movements totally pain-free). While still in the holding, ten diagonal flexion were done to each side (about 45 degrees).
• Post ATM2 intervention, sEMG results indicated immediate calming and normalization of muscle activation levels during the anatomical posture. Normal stance remained low and normalized.