Movement and posture are commonly believed to relate to low back pain (LBP). Yet, we know little about how people make sense of the relationship between their LBP, movement, and posture, particularly after recovery.

Researcher and Physiotherapy Research Foundation (PRF) Project Grant recipient Dr Kevin Wernli APAM says ‘There’s quite a wide belief from physios, and generally in the public, that movement and posture is important for low back pain. Specifically, when people have low back pain we need to change their movement and posture in some way in order for them to get better. So, there’s this idea that there is a relationship between movement and posture changing, and pain or function improving, but when we look at the literature, that’s not very well supported.’

This work was supported by a PRF Project Grant awarded to Dr Kevin Wernli in 2017.

The research study’s findings have been summarised by the PRF and transformed into this infographic.  Click on the image below to access a printable A3 file.

About the researchers:

Dr Kevin Wernli APAM is a 2017 PRF Project Grant recipient, physiotherapist and researcher. Kevin has a passion for using technology to enhance access to equitable and effective care. He works clinically in a digital health startup and supervises and lectures at Curtin University in Perth.

Associate Professor Peter Kent teaches prognostic research method and scientific writing at under-graduate and post-graduate levels at Curtin University. Along with his teaching, Peter has 20 years of clinical experience as a musculoskeletal physiotherapist in hospital settings, multidisciplinary clinics and private practice

Professor Peter O’Sullivan is a Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist (as awarded by the Australian College of Physiotherapists in 2005) and Professor of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy at Curtin University

Professor Anne Smith is a Research professor in the School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science at Curtin University, where she conducts high impact clinical research and supervises higher degree research.

Associate Professor Amity Campbell is an Associate Professor at Curtin University  and carries out inter-disciplinary research in biomechanics, injury prevention and performance optimisation.

This infographic is a Physiotherapy Research Foundation (PRF) initiative supported by Pain Away athELITE - Platinum and Content Sponsor of the PRF.