OOPS - PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT
LUMBAR

Mobirise

See instructions for drawing your pain on devices.

You can draw a pain chart / graph to show how the pain changes over the course of 24 hours.

Then follow the range of movement guide below. It might be useful to have another person to estimate how much of your range you have before you feel pain or stiffness.

Write the percentage of movements in the calculator below and it will give you the average of all ranges as your functional range. This will give you the starting point and link for your rehabilitation as below.
Write this down so you can refer to it every few days to measure your improvement by following the rehabilitation guides as below. Then click the clear button to clear the form for the next time you use.    

IF it is difficult to walk with back pain, see Gait Assessment and Support 

Posture
Assess your posture by having another person take a photo from the side and the back. Note whether the lumbar area is flat, maybe even a reversed curve (kyphosis), or has a deep curve (lordosis), or a scoliosis (S bend), or a list (off centre from one side). You will also be able to see where the posture is uneven, off-centre, or assymetical. If there is an uneven or deformed posture especially if due to pain, start your therapy, here.
Flexion
To test flexion, from standing bend down with straight legs until pain or tightness. Notice how far you hands are reaching and that the lumbar curve has flattened into a forward curl. So long there is tension at the back of the legs, this is full range for you.
If you are limited by pain or back stiffness, estimate:
100% = Reaching 1/2 waydown shins
75% = reach just below the knees
50% = reaching 3/4 thigh above knee
25% = reaching 1/2 thigh 

Write as Flexion = e.g 66%
Extension
To test extension, from standing with your hands on your buttocks bend backwards with straight legs until pain or restiction.
100% = Reach 3/4 back of your thigh to knee.
With this in mind you can estimate your proportion of range.
Zero% / neutral is a modest curve (normal posture) of the Low back in standing. If you have a flat low back you will usually have no curve nor be able to extend the low back.

Write as = e.g 25%

Lateral Flexion   

To test lateral flexion, from standing and keeping both feet planted, lean down sideways reaching as far as can.

Repeat to the other side. 

Full range / 100% = reaching to the side of the knee. WIth this in mind you can estimate the proportion of your range.  
Zero / Neutral is level of hands in standing straight, usually about mid thigh.

Write as e/g Lateral Flexion (R) = 50%
Rotation
To test rotation, in sitting, feet on floor, twist / turn as far to one side as you can. 

Then repeat to the other side. 

Full Range / 100% = turning to half way backward.

Zero% = Sitting forward. 

Write as e.g Rotation (L) = 75%

Flexion:---------------

Extension:-----------

Lateral Flexion R: ---

Lateral Flexion L: ---

Rotation Right:-------

Rotation Left:---------

Functional Range --

Guide to commencing your self therapy from the Functional Range
Total average range less than 40% start your therapy here.
Total average range between 40 and 70% start your therapy here.
Total average range more than 70% start your therapy here.

OOPS First Aid

Acute Lumbar Recovery

Physical Assessment