Abstract
Background/aim: : Low back pain (LBP) was evidenced to be associated with urinary incontinence (UI), both of which are common problems in women .This study aimed to investigate the relationship of pelvic floor muscles and diaphragm in women with low back pain (LBP) associated with urinary incontinence (UI).

Materials and methods: Twenty –five women with UI (incontinence group) and 25 women without UI (control group) were included in this study. Their ages varied from 35 to 45 years, their body mass index (BMI) was 25-30 kg/m2, with a number of parities ≤ three normal vaginal deliveries. They participated in the study after, at least two years from the last delivery. Evaluation for the two groups was done by ultrasonography imaging to measure PFM strength and diaphragm excursion& urinary distress inventory-6 (UDI-6) and visual analog scale (VAS).

Results: It was seen that PFM strength (force) and diaphragm excursion were decrease in the incontinence group in comparison to the control group (P < 0.001). Correlations of the Diaphragm excursion with PFM (r = 0.64, P = 0.001).

Conclusion: There is a significant reduction in diaphragm and PFM activities in women that have LBP associated with UI than normal individuals. PFM strength (force) and diaphragm excursion in females should be taken into consideration in LBP associated with UI and which help therapist in therapeutic decisions.

Key words: Low back pain, PFM, Diaphragm, urinary incontinence