The Abdominal Mechanism
Gracovetsky S, Farfan H.
Spine
10(4) : 317-324, 1985.
Abstract
The abdominal mechanism, utilizing intraabdominal pressure, has been described and
numericized. Simulations show that the lumbodorsal fascia under control of the abdominal
muscles contributes to reduce the stress at the intervertebral joint. The musculature of
the lumbar spine is of primary importance in the control of the efficiency of the spinal
mechanism. The system of loading, which results in observable physiologic response,
maintains the compressive load at virtually 90 degrees at the bisector of the disc for all
weights and all angles of forward flexion.
