Quote Originally Posted by jools987 View Post
I've seen an elite enduro (off-road) motorbike rider for massage only a couple of times now. In my initial assessment, he mentioned that his lower back feels 'weak' since around 6/12 ago.

When bending to touch his toes he is very wary and uses his hands to assist him when straightening up. An MRI scan revealed nothing abnormal. The movement in his spine is generally good throughout during all ranges of movement with no noticeable abnormalities in the lumbar region. Strength must be pretty good given what he does for a living though due to the nature of the complaint I haven't properly assessed spine extension. He rides at an international level and is extremely fit and well built.

Only obvious postural abnormalities are probably related to the position held when riding and are rounded shoulders and inferior edges of both scapula being excessively externally rotated.

He has only seen me for massage so far but next time I would like to address his lumbar spine issues. Any thoughts?
I the doctor-masseur. The problem can consist in deep muscles of a stomachspasm that will complicate straightening a back from position an inclination forward. It is desirable to make tests for slanting muscles of a stomach and forward muscles of a stomach. In case of negative result probably presence of a disproportion of force of muscles of a stomach and straightening muscles of a back. Muscles of a stomach are stronger and at their full compression the back does not suffice straightening muscles of force to return them in neutral position