Dysfunction in the lumbar multifidus muscles is strongly associated with
low back pain. The dysfunction can be caused by inhibition of pain by the spine. The dysfunction frequently persists even after the pain has disappeared. Such persistence may help explain the high recurrence rates of low back pain. Persistent lumbar multifidus dysfunction is diagnosed by
atrophic replacement of the multifidus with fat, as visualized by
magnetic resonance imaging or
ultrasound. One way to help recruit and strengthen the lumbar multifidus muscles is by tensing the
pelvic floor muscles for a few seconds "as if stopping urination midstream". ==Additional images==