Effects of muscle contraction with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on nonspecific chronic low back pain

Abstract

Non specific chronic low back pain (NCLBP)is pain that lasts at least 12 weeks and does not have a specific cause, it is one of the most common health problems in the world. Common exercise programs for this population include strengthening/stretching of the large back and abdominal muscles. Pain signals that flow along the peripheral nerves to the spinal cord encounter nerve gates that can inhibit or facilitate the incoming nerve impulses. The traditional use of the conventional high-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)was based on the gate control theory of pain, suggesting that counter-stimulation of the nervous system could modify perception of the pain.