title: Evaluating Kyphosis and Lordosis in Students by Using a Flexible Ruler and Their Relationship with Severity and Frequency of Thoracic and Lumbar Pain.
abstract: METHODS
  A cross-sectional, descriptive study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate the relationship between kyphosis and lordosis measured by using a flexible ruler and musculoskeletal pain in students of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The spine supports the body during different activities by maintaining appropriate body alignment and posture. Normal alignment of the spine depends on its structural, muscular, bony, and articular performance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred forty-one students participated in this study. A single examiner evaluated the angles of lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis by using a flexible ruler. To determine the severity and frequency of pain in low-back and inter-scapular regions, a tailor-made questionnaire with visual analog scale was used. Finally, using the Kendall correlation coefficient, the data were statistically analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean value of lumbar lordosis was 34.46°±12.61° in female students and 22.46°±9.9° in male students. The mean value of lumbar lordosis significantly differed between female and male students (p<0.001). However, there was no difference in the level of the thoracic curve (p=0.288). Relationship between kyphosis measured by using a flexible ruler and inter-scapular pain in male and female students was not significant (p=0.946). However, the relationship between lumbar lordosis and low back pain was statistically significant (p=0.006). Also, no significant relationship was observed between abnormal kyphosis and frequency of inter-scapular pain, and between lumbar lordosis and low back pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lumbar lordosis contributes to low back pain. The causes of musculoskeletal pain could be muscle imbalance and muscle and ligament strain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Hamedan, Iran.
authors.forename: Sedigheh-Sadat
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Mirbagheri
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Hamedan, Iran.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rahmani-Rasa
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Hamedan, Iran.
authors.forename: Farzad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Farmani
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Hamedan, Iran.
authors.forename: Payam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Amini
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Hamedan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad-Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Nikoo
keywords: Kyphosis; Lordosis; Pain