Page 68 - Petelin, Ana. 2024. Ed. Zdravje delovno aktivnih in starejših odraslih | Health of the Working-Age and Older Adults. Zbornik prispevkov z recenzijo | Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press

standard treatment represents an effective approach for reducing pain
and improving functionality in individuals with chronic low back pain.
More high-quality randomized controlled trials with a broader spectrum
of participants are warranted in order to support the development of
more precise guidelines for physiotherapeutic approaches in individual
treatment. Additionally, research investigating the long-term effects of
pelvic floor muscle training on chronic low back pain would be beneficial
for a better understanding of its long-term therapeutic potential.

Keywords: low back pain, pelvic floor muscles, exercise, physiotherapy
treatment

Introduction
Low back pain is characterized by pain, muscle tension, or stiffness localized
between the 12th rib and the gluteal fold (Hayden et al., 2021) and can radiate to
68 the lower extremities. Approximately 80% of people experience low back pain
at least once in their lifetime (Wang et al., 2012). In 2% to 10% of cases, this pain
zdravje delovno aktivnih in starejših odraslih | health of working-age and older adults
can develop into chronic low back pain (CLBP), defined as pain persisting for
more than three months (Alleva et al., 2016). The persistance of pain is often in-
fluenced not only by biological factors but also by psychological and social fac-
tors (Knezevic et al., 2021).
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) represents a significant social issue, im-
pacting individual well-being and leading to high treatment costs, absentee-
ism or reduced productivity at work (Meucci et al., 2015). Early and effective
treatment is therefore crucial. This may include invasive treatments such as su-
rgeries and epidural steroid injections, or pharmacological approaches using
non-opioid analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, muscle
relaxants, and antidepressants (Alleva et al., 2016; Hong et al., 2022; Qaseem et
al., 2017). Additionally, non-pharmacological treatments are integral to mana-
ging CLBP and include patient education about their condition and coping te-
chniques, lifestyle modifications, progressive muscle relaxation, cognitive-be-
havioral therapy and physiotherapy utilizing physical agents, manual therapy,
and various types of exercise, including pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT)
(Fernández-Rodríguez et al., 2022; Hong et al., 2022; Knezevic et al., 2021).
Pelvic floor muscles (PFM) are a group of muscles situated between the
pubic bone, coccyx, and ischial tuberosities (Bi et al., 2013). These muscles are
crucial for supporting pelvic organs, maintaining continence, and sexual func-
tion (Eickmeyer, 2017). They also play an important role in stabilizing the trunk
and the sacroiliac joint, which, if unstable, can lead to the occurrence of CL-
BP (Hodges et al., 2007; Lee et al., 2016; Pel et al., 2008). Due to the numerous
functions of PFM, they are becoming increasingly important in physiothera-
peutic treatment. PMFT, which involves repeated contractions and relaxations
of the PFM and anal sphincter, is used to enhance the strength and coordinati-
on of these muscles (Hite and Curran, 2021). These exercises have shown bene-
fits in preventing and treating urinary incontinence (Alouini et al., 2022), im-