The Back
Examination of the Back
The back is examined before a full-length mirror, using a hand mirror or double mirror for viewing backwards. Examination is made of any deformity, tenderness or limitation of motion. The normal back, viewed from behind, forms a straight line, while from the side, it has a graceful wave to it. The vertebrae are not tender, and their tips can be felt from the prominent seventh vertebra at the base of the neck down to the pelvis. The back’s ability to move freely, tends to freeze with age, but we can expect a comfortable degree of easy motion in all directions from the average fifty year old back.
Deformity
1. View the spinal column from directly behind, using a mirror. A curvature to one side is called a scoliosis.
2. View the spinal column from the side. A hunch-back deformity is called kyphosis, and a sway-back deformity is
called lordosis.
Tenderness
1. Thump or press upon the bony column and on the bones of the pelvis. Tenderness or pain in various positions may
indicate arthritis.
2. Press firmly on the soft muscular attachments to each side of the vertebral column. Tenderness along the soft sides of the backbone, can mean strain or sprain.
Limitation of Motion
1. From a standing position, bend well forward, backward and to each side. Back pain suggests either arthritis, ligament strain or disk trouble.
2. Sit firmly erect with arms folded and bend forward, backward and to each side. Soreness probably means arthritis in the backbone.
3. If the above preceding motion produces no back pain, repeat forward, backward and sideways bending, now in
the standing position. Soreness of the soft tissues on standing but not on sitting, is probably due to deformity.
4. In the reclining position, raise each leg straight up in the air with the knee straight. Pain of one leg in this maneuver may mean slipped disk or sciatica difficulties.