Differentiates between local lumbosacral pain originating from either the lumbar or sacral region.
- Non-radiating low back pain present with active lumbar flexion
Patient Position
- Standing
Examiner Position
- Standing behind the patient
Steps of Performance
- Stabilize the patient’s pelvis by holding the patient’s ASIS bilaterally and placing one hip/thigh against the patient’s sacrum
- The patient then actively flexes their spine into a forward bend while the examiner stabilizes the sacroiliac joints, preventing them from moving
Alternative Methods
During lumbar flexion, the posterior structures of the lumbar and sacral regions are stretched. This may illicit nociceptive signals if damage or irritation is present in these structures. By stabilizing the sacral region and having the patient reengage in the motion that normally elicits pain, the examiner can determine if the nociceptive signals are primarily derived from the sacral or lumbar region.
General
Local pain with active lumbar flexion
- Lumbar or sacral region pain generator
Positives
Pain reduced during Belt Test performance
- Sacral region pain generator
Pertinent Negatives
Pain maintained during Belt Test performance
- lumbar region pain generator
Differentiates between local lumbosacral pain originating from either the lumbar or sacral region.
- Non-radiating low back pain present with active lumbar flexion
Patient Position
- Standing
Examiner Position
- Standing behind the patient
Steps of Performance
- Stabilize the patient’s pelvis by holding the patient’s ASIS bilaterally and placing one hip/thigh against the patient’s sacrum
- The patient then actively flexes their spine into a forward bend while the examiner stabilizes the sacroiliac joints, preventing them from moving
Alternative Methods
During lumbar flexion, the posterior structures of the lumbar and sacral regions are stretched. This may illicit nociceptive signals if damage or irritation is present in these structures. By stabilizing the sacral region and having the patient reengage in the motion that normally elicits pain, the examiner can determine if the nociceptive signals are primarily derived from the sacral or lumbar region.
General
Local pain with active lumbar flexion
- Lumbar or sacral region pain generator
Positives
Pain reduced during Belt Test performance
- Sacral region pain generator
Pertinent Negatives
Pain maintained during Belt Test performance
- lumbar region pain generator