Causes of antalgic list or lean
Antalgic list or lean is often associated with lower back pain, although it can also be associated with middle or upper back pain and even with neck pain, causing an overall antalgic posture. Most common cause of this condition is due to a muscle spasm and may disappear without treatment once the spasm has been relieved. The antalgic list or lean may be due to other conditions such as sciatica, herniated (slipped) discs or bulging discs. There are two kinds of slipped discs and the patient may lean to the painful side or to the opposite side. In some cases, the pain resolves within 6 weeks with little more than rest, gentle exercise such as walking at a comfortable pace on a zero incline.
Don’t sneeze!
The scary thing is that during this period it doesn’t take much for the condition to worsen. One sneeze, cough or bend down too many, and you’re in serious pain again, often when you were beginning to feel better. I know this for a fact since I’ve done all of those things!
Spinal decompression therapy
It is very important to get an accurate diagnosis for the root cause for the antalgic listing or leaning so your therapy can be appropriately determined and administered. If spinal decompression is recommended by your Practitioner (Chiropractor, Physiotherapist or Osteopath), you may wish to look at Meditrac’s Vertetrac for the lower back, with the DBS Scoliosis Rail for antalgic listing or leaning due to scoliosis, or to the Cervico 2000, if the cause is in the neck region.
These traction devices have symmetrical as well as asymmetrical application capabilities. For example, if the sciatic pain causes a listing to the left, the Vertetrac would be used to apply extra traction force to that side. If the disc herniation or bulging disc is causing an antalgic list or lean to the right, the Vertetrac would apply additional back traction on the right, to correct the posture. If the torticollis (wry neck) is causing an antalgic list or lean to the right, the Cervico 2000 would be used to apply extra traction force to that side.
