Short‐term swimming exercise attenuates the sensitization of dorsal horn neurons in rats with NGF‐induced low back pain

Background Physical exercise has been shown to be an effective therapy for non‐specific low back pain. The study investigated if swimming exercise is a means to reduce the spinal sensitization in an animal model of non‐specific low back pain. Methods In deeply anesthetized rats, dorsal horn neurons...

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Published in:European journal of pain 2018-09, Vol.22 (8), p.1409-1418
Main Authors: Azambuja, G., Hortscht, U., Hoheisel, U., Oliveira Fusaro, M.C., Mense, S., Treede, R.‐D.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Background Physical exercise has been shown to be an effective therapy for non‐specific low back pain. The study investigated if swimming exercise is a means to reduce the spinal sensitization in an animal model of non‐specific low back pain. Methods In deeply anesthetized rats, dorsal horn neurons were recorded in spinal segment L2. To induce sensitization of dorsal horn neurons, two injections of nerve growth factor were made into the lumbar multifidus muscle at an interval of 5 days. Swimming exercise for 30 min was performed on the 5 days between both NGF injections. A control group received the NGF injections without exercise treatment. Results Swimming exercise caused a significant decrease in the NGF‐induced hyperexcitability of dorsal horn neurons. Compared to control, the proportion of neurons with input from deep somatic tissues and of convergent neurons with input from at least two types of different tissues decreased significantly (50% vs. 25% and 37% vs. 15%; both p 
ISSN:1090-3801
1532-2149
DOI:10.1002/ejp.1230