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

ABSTRACT:

Background and objective

Low back pain remains a pervasive global health challenge, with significant disability and socio-economic burden. While contemporary biomechanical and occupational factors are well-studied, the role of human spinal evolution and its divergence from modern postural behaviors is less frequently examined. This study aims to visually explore and illustrate the historical evolution of human spinal posture through artistic representations, conceptually highlighting the potential biomechanical mismatch between our spine's evolutionary adaptations and current lifestyle-driven postures.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative visual analysis of human figures depicted in selected artworks from three distinct historical periods: the hunter-gatherer era, the agricult

SUBMITTER: Tacyıldız AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12810782 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature