How does the Bill Starr back rehab work?

[Jeff Leonard]

I have been looking for the last year at about everything I can get my eyes on concerning lower back issues. I have struggled with lower back pain for the last 25 years off and on, less since I have been lifting, but it seems at some point once a year I do something to cause some pain.

I know the Starr protocol is about muscle belly issues, but I also see it used for the lower back. In the latest Art of Manliness guest article from Matt Reynolds, he mentions using the method for disc issues, and some other places say not to use it for disc issues. I am pretty sure I read about Bill Starr originally using this for his disc issues. Anyhow, my question is, how does this work when used for a disc issue? I understand the muscle tear, scar tissue problem when used for muscle tears, but what goes on in the lower back when it is used?

I understand the theory of how the reverse hyper works the areas affected, per Louis Simmons. Is the Starr rehab working along the same principles?

Thanks.

[Mark Rippetoe]

It's probably some flushing mechanism. I don't know the histological details because, as you know, Doctors have not published controlled studies on the method.

[Tiedemies]

I am talking out of my ass, based on stuff I've gleaned from talking to various orthos, osteos and the like. Though most of the time lower back issues are spinal/disc problems, there is a significant residual pain related to muscles in the area. I.e., the muscles in the area cramp in response to damage or dislocation in the spine. Now, in the case of disc herniation, when the primary problem subsides, the muscles may still cramp up. Anatomically normal movement may release some of these cramps. This is what my osteopath told me; I don't trust these guys 100%, but he seemed sane enough and the argument made sense.