Abstract
The aim of the study was to analyze pain, posture and trunk stabilization in postmenopausal women with chronic low back pain (LBP). A total of 59 volunteer women with chronic LBP were divided into 2 groups as non-menopausal women in Group 1 and post-menopausal women in Group 2. Pain was assessed using the McGill Pain Scale Short Form and Visual Anologue Score(VAS), static posture using the New York Posture Rating Scale and trunk stabilization using the McGill and plank tests. There was no difference between the groups on the McGill pain score (p = 0.143) but the VAS scores were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 (p = 0.018). Group 2 had worse posture (p < 0.001). When comparing of the trunk stabilization tests, the results of the trunk extension, trunk flexion, side plank and plank tests were less in Group 2 (p = 0.014, p = 0.003, p = 0.007, p = 0.003). The results of this study show that pain and postural deviations increase and trunk stabilization decreases in women with chronic LBP in the postmenopausal period. There is a need to focus on solutions to reduce additional musculoskeletal problems caused by the postmenopausal period.