Viewing low back pain through the lens of spinal evolution: Understanding the morphology and limits of the human spine

This study visually traces the evolution of human spinal posture from the hunter-gatherer era to modern industrial life, highlighting a shift from dynamic, biomechanically healthy positions to static and suboptimal postures. These changes, reflected in historical art and linked to lifestyle transitions such as agriculture and industrialization, may underlie the rising prevalence of spinal disorders. The findings suggest that aligning modern practices with the spine's evolutionary design could help prevent and manage spinal pathologies.

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Publication Details

Journal
PLoS ONE
Published
2026-01-16
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0339032
Primary Topic
Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Viewing low back pain through the lens of spinal evolution: Understanding the morphology and limits of the human spine

Melih Üçer, Abdullah Emre Taçyıldız, Aydın Sinan Apaydın, Özden Erhan Sofuoğlu
PLoS ONE
Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
article

Viewing low back pain through the lens of spinal evolution: Understanding the morphology and limits of the human spine

Melih Üçer, Abdullah Emre Taçyıldız, Aydın Sinan Apaydın, Özden Erhan Sofuoğlu
article en

Abstract

This study visually traces the evolution of human spinal posture from the hunter-gatherer era to modern industrial life, highlighting a shift from dynamic, biomechanically healthy positions to static and suboptimal postures. These changes, reflected in historical art and linked to lifestyle transitions such as agriculture and industrialization, may underlie the rising prevalence of spinal disorders. The findings suggest that aligning modern practices with the spine's evolutionary design could help prevent and manage spinal pathologies.

PLoS ONEVol. 21(1)
Karabük University (TR), Bakırköy Psychiatric Hospital (TR), Biruni University (TR)
Zero hunger
Openalex Percentile: Top 84%
Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
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