Multifidus muscle mitochondria function in those with non-specific chronic low back pain

Motivation: Inhibition or weakness of the multifidus muscle caused by mitochondrial function may lead to chronic low back pain, often diagnosed as "non-specific." Goal(s): Develop methodology to measure lumbar multifidus muscle's mitochondrial function using 31P MRS. Compare multifidus muscle mitochondrial function in individuals with and without low back pain (LBP). Approach: Implemented MRI safe EMS based approach to stimulate multifidus muscle. Mitochondrial oxidative capacity (Qmax) was significantly lower in the LBP individuals compared to healthy individuals. Results: Mitochondrial oxidative capacity (Qmax) was significantly lower in the LBP individuals compared to healthy individuals. Impact: We, for the first time, demonstrated the application of 31P MRS for measurement of mitochondrial function in lumbar multifidus muscle. Impaired ATP production in weak/underused multifidus muscle might be early markers of unspecified lower back pain.