Jacek Cholewicki

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Michigan State University
College of Osteopathic Medicine
Surgical Specialties
MSU Center for Orthopaedic Research
Walter F. Patenge ProfessorAppointed: 2007
University of Queensland
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Professor (Honorary)Appointed: 2007
Professional Headshot of Jacek Cholewicki

Mailing Address

Michigan State University Center for Orthopaedic Research
Ingham Regional Orthopaedic Hospital
2727 S. Pennsylvania Avenue
Lansing, Michigan 48910
United States

Contact Information

Phone: (517) 975-3302
Fax: (517) 975-3305
cholewic@msu.edu

Qualifications

Ph.D., University of Waterloo, Biomechanics, 1994.

Expertise and Research Interests

One important mechanical function of the human spine is to support compressive and shearing forces that arise during the performance of everyday activities. However, the isolated osteoligamentous spine is a flexible structure and it buckles under loads much smaller than the weights of the respective body segments it is supporting. The surrounding muscles play a crucial role in stabilizing the spine in a manner similar to guy wires spanning from a mast or a telecommunication tower. While my general research interests lie in the area of spine biomechanics, the fascination with muscle function in providing the mechanical stability to the spine is reflected in my most recent projects.

Currently in our biomechanics laboratory we are studying the neuromuscular function in the lumbar and cervical spines in relation to clinical instability. Using electromyography and biomechanical modeling, we are attempting to compare the muscle coactivation and their stabilizing role in healthy volunteers and patients suffering from neck and low back pain that have no clear pathoanatomic diagnosis. This research is based on the overall hypothesis that the decreased osteoligamentous spine stiffness due to the initial injury must be compensated by the neuromuscular system to maintain a certain safe level of spine stability above the buckling load. Prolonged and sustained muscle coactivation may lead to chronic pain.

Another set of projects deals with the role of intra-abdominal pressure increase during heavy exertions involved in lifting. Despite the wide-spread use of abdominal belts in industry and rehabilitation programs, no explanation exists as to why the increase in intra-abdominal pressure afforded by wearing the belt would be beneficial to the lumbar spine. We are hypothesizing that the role of intra-abdominal pressure is to increase the mechanical stability of the spine through the stiffening of abdominal musculature. Electromyography (EMG) and biomechanical modeling are some of the tools extensively utilized in this research.

Other Expertise

Journal Reviewer for:
Journal of Biomechanics
Clinical Biomechanics
Spine
European Spine Journal
Journal of Biomechanical Engineering
Medicine and Biology in Engineering and Computing

Keywords

COS Keywords:

Biomechanics, Biomedical Engineering, Chronic Pain, Electromyography, Injury, Mechanical Engineering, Muscle Structure Or Function, Orthopedics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Additional Terms:

Biomechanical Modeling, EMG, Intra-abdominal Pressure, Lumbar Spine, Muscle Mechanics, Spinal Stability.

Languages

(Reading, Writing, Speaking)

Polish: (Fluent, Fluent, Fluent)

Memberships

American Society of Biomechanics
Canadian Society for Biomechanics
International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine

Honors and Awards

2005, The ISSLS Prize, The International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine
2007, Rose Excellence in Research Award, Orthopaedic Section, American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

Previous Positions

2002-2007, Associate Professor, Yale University, Biomedical Engineering
2001-2007, Associate Professor, Yale University, Mechanical Engineering
2001-2007, Associate Professor, Yale University, Medicine, Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
1997-2001, Assistant Professor, Yale University, Mechanical Engineering
1996-2001, Assistant Professor, Yale University, School of Medicine, Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
1995-1997, Lecturer, Yale University, Mechanical Engineering
1995-1996, Associate Research Scientist, Yale University, School of Medicine, Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
1993-1995, Postdoctoral Fellow, Yale University, School of Medicine, Orthopedics and Rehabilitation

Funding Received

  • National Institutes of Health (NIH): The Mechanism and Function of Lumbosacral Orthoses, $572,000, 2004 to 2007.
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH): Motor Control Deficit and Low Back Injuries: Cause or Effect?, $498,750, 2001 to 2005.
  • The Whitaker Foundation: Proprioception and Motor Control of the Lumbar Spine in Low Back Pain Population, $80,000, 2000 to 2001.
  • Gaylord Rehabilitation Institute: Changes in Motor Control Following a Low-Back Rehabilitation Program, $100,000, 1999 to 2001.
  • Gaylord Rehabilitation Institute: Role of the Intra-Abdominal Pressure in the Mechanical Stability of the Lumbar Spine, $40,000, 1997 to 1998.
  • The Whitaker Foundation: Stability Function of the Trunk Musculature in Healthy and Low Back Pain Populations, $210,000, 1997 to 2000.

Publications

  • Reeves NP, Cholewicki J, Lee AS, Mysliwiec LW (Feb 2009) The effects of stochastic resonance stimulation on spine proprioception and postural control in chronic low back pain patients., Spine, 34 (4), 316-21 Abstract
  • Hodges P, van den Hoorn W, Dawson A, Cholewicki J (Jan 2009) Changes in the mechanical properties of the trunk in low back pain may be associated with recurrence., Journal of biomechanics, 42 (1), 61-6 Abstract
  • Reeves NP, Cholewicki J, Narendra KS (Jan 2009) Effects of reflex delays on postural control during unstable seated balance., Journal of biomechanics, 42 (2), 164-70 Abstract
  • Zazulak B, Cholewicki J, Reeves NP (Sep 2008) Neuromuscular control of trunk stability: clinical implications for sports injury prevention., The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 16 (9), 497-505 Abstract
  • Cholewicki J, Lee AS, Reeves NP, Calle EA (Sep 2008) Trunk muscle response to various protocols of lumbar traction., Manual therapy Abstract
  • Reeves NP, Cholewicki J, Milner T, Lee AS (Jul 2008) Trunk antagonist co-activation is associated with impaired neuromuscular performance., Experimental brain research. Experimentelle Hirnforschung. Expérimentation cérébrale, 188 (3), 457-63 Abstract
  • Zazulak BT, Hewett TE, Reeves NP, Goldberg B, Cholewicki J (Jul 2007) Deficits in neuromuscular control of the trunk predict knee injury risk: a prospective biomechanical-epidemiologic study., The American journal of sports medicine, 35 (7), 1123-30 Abstract
  • Reeves NP, Narendra KS, Cholewicki J (Mar 2007) Spine stability: the six blind men and the elephant., Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon), 22 (3), 266-74 Abstract
  • Zazulak BT, Hewett TE, Reeves NP, Goldberg B, Cholewicki J (Mar 2007) The effects of core proprioception on knee injury: a prospective biomechanical-epidemiological study., The American journal of sports medicine, 35 (3), 368-73 Abstract
  • Cholewicki J, Reeves NP, Everding VQ, Morrisette DC (2007) Lumbosacral orthoses reduce trunk muscle activity in a postural control task., Journal of biomechanics, 40 (8), 1731-6 Abstract
  • Lee AS, Cholewicki J, Peter Reeves N (2007) The effect of background muscle activity on computerized detection of sEMG onset and offset., Journal of biomechanics, 40 (15), 3521-6 Abstract
  • Silfies SP, Cholewicki J, Reeves NP, Greene HS (2007) Lumbar position sense and the risk of low back injuries in college athletes: a prospective cohort study., BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 8, 129 Abstract
  • Simpson AK, Cholewicki J, Grauer J (Dec 2006) Chronic low back pain., Current pain and headache reports, 10 (6), 431-6 Abstract
  • Reeves NP, Everding VQ, Cholewicki J, Morrisette DC (Oct 2006) The effects of trunk stiffness on postural control during unstable seated balance., Experimental brain research. Experimentelle Hirnforschung. Expérimentation cérébrale, 174 (4), 694-700 Abstract
  • Reeves NP, Cholewicki J, Silfies SP (Jun 2006) Muscle activation imbalance and low-back injury in varsity athletes., Journal of electromyography and kinesiology : official journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology, 16 (3), 264-72 Abstract
  • Cholewicki J, Shah KR, McGill KC (Apr 2006) The effects of a 3-week use of lumbosacral orthoses on proprioception in the lumbar spine., The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy, 36 (4), 225-31 Abstract
  • Cholewicki J, Silfies SP, Shah RA, Greene HS, Reeves NP, Alvi K, Goldberg B (Dec 2005) Delayed trunk muscle reflex responses increase the risk of low back injuries., Spine, 30 (23), 2614-20 Abstract
  • Reeves NP, Cholewicki J, Milner TE (Feb 2005) Muscle reflex classification of low-back pain., Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology : Official Journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology., 15 (1), 53-60 Abstract
  • Cholewicki J, The effects of lumbosacral orthoses on spine stability: what changes in EMG can be expected?, Journal of Orthopaedic Research : Official Publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society., 22(5), 1150-5, Sep 2004 Abstract
  • Howarth SJ, Allison AE, Grenier SG, Cholewicki J, McGill SM, On the implications of interpreting the stability index: a spine example, Journal of Biomechanics, 37(8), 1147-54, Aug 2004 Abstract
  • Cholewicki J, Alvi K, Silfies SP, Bartolomei J, Comparison of Motion Restriction and Trunk Stiffness Provided by Three Thoracolumbosacral Orthoses (TLSOs), Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques, 16(5), 461-8, October 2003 Abstract
  • Masi AT, Dorsch JL, Cholewicki J, Are adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and ankylosing spondylitis counter-opposing conditions? A hypothesis on biomechanical contributions predisposing to these spinal disorders, Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology, 21(5), 573-80, 2003 Abstract
  • Silfies SP, Cholewicki J, Radebold A, The effects of visual input on postural control of the lumbar spine in unstable sitting, Human Movement Science, 22(3), 237-52, August 2003 Abstract
  • van Dieen JH, Selen LP, Cholewicki J, Trunk muscle activation in low-back pain patients, an analysis of the literature, Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology : Official Journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology., 13(4), 333-51, Aug 2003 Abstract
  • McGill SM, Grenier S, Kavcic N, Cholewicki J, Coordination of muscle activity to assure stability of the lumbar spine, Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology : Official Journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology., 13(4), 353-9, Aug 2003 Abstract
  • Merrell GA, Wolfe SW, Kacena WJ, Gao Y, Cholewicki J, Kacena MA, The effect of increased peripheral suture purchase on the strength of flexor tendon repairs, Journal of Hand Surgery, 28(3), 464-8, May 2003 Abstract
  • Van Dieen JH, Cholewicki J, Radebold A, Trunk muscle recruitment patterns in patients with low back pain enhance the stability of the lumbar spine, Spine, 28(8), 834-41, April 2003 Abstract
  • Reeves NP, Cholewicki J, Modeling the human lumbar spine for assessing spinal loads, stability, and risk of injury, Critical Reviews in Biomedical Engineering, 31(1-2), 73-139, 2003 Abstract
  • Cholewicki J, Greene HS, Polzhofer GK, Galloway MT, Shah RA, Radebold A, Neuromuscular function in athletes following recovery from a recent acute low back injury, Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 32(11), 568-75, November 2002 Abstract
  • Cholewicki J, Ivancic PC, Radebold A, Can increased intra-abdominal pressure in humans be decoupled from trunk muscle co-contraction during steady state isometric exertions?, European Journal of Applied Physiology, 87(2), 127-33, June 2002 Abstract
  • Ivancic PC, Cholewicki J, Radebold A, Effects of the abdominal belt on muscle-generated spinal stability and L4/L5 joint compression force, Ergonomics, 45(7), 501-13, June 2002 Abstract
  • Cholewicki J, VanVliet JJ 4th, Relative contribution of trunk muscles to the stability of the lumbar spine during isometric exertions, Clinical Biomechanics (bristol, Avon), 17(2), 99-105, Feb 2002 Abstract
  • Panjabi MM, Crisco JJ, Vasavada A, Oda T, Cholewicki J, Nibu K, Shin E, Mechanical properties of the human cervical spine as shown by three-dimensional load-displacement curves, Spine, 26(24), 2692-700, December 2001 Abstract
  • Greene HS, Cholewicki J, Galloway MT, Nguyen CV, Radebold A, A history of low back injury is a risk factor for recurrent back injuries in varsity athletes, The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 29(6), 795-800, 2001 Abstract
  • Panjabi MM, Kato Y, Hoffman H, Cholewicki J, Canal and intervertebral foramen encroachments of a burst fracture: effects from the center of rotation, Spine, 26(11), 1231-7, Jun 2001 Abstract
  • Radebold A, Cholewicki J, Polzhofer GK, Greene HS, Impaired postural control of the lumbar spine is associated with delayed muscle response times in patients with chronic idiopathic low back pain, Spine, 26(7), 724-30, 2001 Abstract
  • Barrie KA, Tomak SL, Cholewicki J, Merrell GA, Wolfe SW, Effect of suture locking and suture caliber on fatigue strength of flexor tendon repairs, Journal of Hand Surgery. American Volume, 26(2), 340-6, March 2001 Abstract
  • McGill SM, Cholewicki J, Biomechanical basis for stability: an explanation to enhance clinical utility, The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 31(2), 96-100, Feb 2001 Abstract
  • Cholewicki J, Polzhofer GK, Radebold A, Postural control of trunk during unstable sitting, Journal of Biomechanics, 33(12), 1733-7, December 2000 Abstract
  • Cholewicki J, Simons AP, Radebold A, Effects of external trunk loads on lumbar spine stability, Journal of Biomechanics, 33(11), 1377-85, November 2000 Abstract
  • Panjabi MM, Kato Y, Hoffman H, Cholewicki J, Krag M, A study of stiffness protocol as exemplified by testing of a burst fracture model in sagittal plane, Spine, 25(21), 2748-54, 2000 Abstract
  • Panjabi MM, Huang RC, Cholewicki J, Equivalence of single and incremental subfailure stretches of rabbit anterior cruciate ligament, Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 18(5), 841-8, September 2000 Abstract
  • Southern EP, Fye MA, Panjabi MM, Patel TC, Cholewicki J, Disc degeneration: a human cadaveric study correlating magnetic resonance imaging and quantitative discomanometry, Spine, 25(17), 2171-5, September 2000 Abstract
  • Barrie KA, Tomak SL, Cholewicki J, Wolfe SW, The role of multiple strands and locking sutures on gap formation of flexor tendon repairs during cyclical loading, Journal of Hand Surgery, 25(4), 714-20, July 2000 Abstract
  • Radebold A, Cholewicki J, Panjabi MM, Patel TC, Muscle response pattern to sudden trunk loading in healthy individuals and in patients with chronic low back pain, Spine, 25(8), 947-54, April 2000 Abstract
  • Panjabi MM, Hoffman H, Kato Y, Cholewicki J, Superiority of incremental trauma approach in experimental burst fracture studies, Clinical Biomechanics, 15(2), 73-8, February 2000 Abstract
  • Cholewicki J, Juluru K, McGill SM, Intra-abdominal pressure mechanism for stabilizing the lumbar spine., Journal of Biomechanics, 32(1), 13-7, Jan 1999 Abstract
  • Cholewicki J, Juluru K, Radebold A, Panjabi MM, McGill SM, Lumbar spine stability can be augmented with an abdominal belt and/or increased intra-abdominal pressure, European Spine Journal, 8(5), 388-95, 1999 Abstract
  • Panjabi MM, Moy P, Oxland TR, Cholewicki J, Subfailure injury affects the relaxation behavior of rabbit ACL, Clinical Biomechanics, 14(1), 24-31, Jan 1999 Abstract
  • Beiner JM, Jokl P, Cholewicki J, Panjabi MM, The effect of anabolic steroids and corticosteroids on healing of muscle contusion injury, The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 27(1), 2-9, Jan-F 1999 Abstract
  • Panjabi MM, Cholewicki J, Nibu K, Grauer JN, Babat LB, Dvorak J, Bar HF, Biomechanics of whiplash injury, Orthopade, 27(12), 813-9, December 1998 Abstract
  • Fye MA, Southern EP, Panjabi MM, Cholewicki J, Quantitative discomanometry: technique and reproducibility in vitro, Journal of Spinal Disorders, 11(4), 335-40, August 1998 Abstract
  • Cholewicki J, Panjabi MM, Nibu K, Babat LB, Grauer JN, Dvorak J, Head kinematics during in vitro whiplash simulation, Accident Analysis and Prevention, 30(4), 469-79, July 1998 Abstract
  • Panjabi Manohar M, Cholewicki Jacek, Nibu Kimio, Grauer Jonathan, Babat Lawrence B, Dvorak Jiri, Critical load of the human cervical spine: An in vitro experimental study, Clinical Biomechanics, 13(1), 11-17, 1998
  • Panjabi Manohar M, Cholewicki Jacek, Nibu Kimio, Grauer Jonathan N, Babat Lawrence B, Dvorak Jiri, Mechanism of whiplash injury, Clinical Biomechanics, 13(4-5), 239-249, 1998
  • Nibu K, Panjabi M M, Oxland T, Cholewicki J, Intervertebral disc distraction with a laparoscopic anterior spinal fusion system., European Spine Journal, 7(2), 142-7, 1998 Abstract
  • Panjabi MM, Cholewicki J, Nibu K, Babat LB, Dvorak J, Simulation of whiplash trauma using whole cervical spine specimens, Spine, 23(1), 17-24, Jan 1998 Abstract
  • Panjabi MM, Cholewicki J, Nibu K, Grauer J, Vahldiek M, Capsular ligament stretches during in vitro whiplash simulations, Journal of Spinal Disorders, 11(3), 227-32, 1998 Abstract
  • Panjabi MM, Nibu K, Cholewicki J, Whiplash injuries and the potential for mechanical instability., European Spine Journal, 7(6), 484-92, 1998 Abstract
  • Grauer JN, Panjabi MM, Cholewicki J, Nibu K, Dvorak J, Whiplash produces an S-shaped curvature of the neck with hyperextension at lower levels, Spine, 22(21), 2489-94, November 1997 Abstract
  • Cholewicki J, Panjabi M M, Khachatryan A, Stabilizing function of trunk flexor-extensor muscles around a neutral spine posture., Spine, 22(19), 2207-12, 1 Oct 1997 Abstract
  • Nibu K, Panjabi M M, Oxland T, Cholewicki J, Multidirectional stabilizing potential of BAK interbody spinal fusion system for anterior surgery., Journal of Spinal Disorders, 10(4), 357-62, August 1997 Abstract
  • Cholewicki J, Panjabi M M, Nibu K, Macias M E, Spinal ligament transducer based on a hall effect sensor., Journal of Biomechanics, 30(3), 291-3, March 1997 Abstract
  • McGill S M, Cholewicki J, Peach J P, Methodological considerations for using inductive sensors (3SPACE ISOTRAK) to monitor 3-D orthopaedic joint motion, Clinical Biomechanics, 12(3), 190-194, 1997
  • Nibu K, Cholewicki J, Panjabi M M, Babat L B, Grauer J N, Kothe R, Dvorak J, Dynamic elongation of the vertebral artery during an in vitro whiplash simulation., European Spine Journal, 6(4), 286-9, 1997 Abstract
  • Cholewicki J, Crisco J J 3rd, Oxland T R, Yamamoto I, Panjabi M M, Effects of posture and structure on three-dimensional coupled rotations in the lumbar spine. A biomechanical analysis., Spine, 21(21), 2421-8, 1 Nov 1996 Abstract
  • McGill S M, Norman R W, Cholewicki J, A simple polynomial that predicts low-back compression during complex 3-D tasks., Ergonomics, 39(9), 1107-18, September 1996 Abstract
  • Cholewicki J, McGill S M, Mechanical stability of the in vivo lumbar spine: implications for injury and chronic low back pain, Clinical Biomechanics, 11(1), 1-15, 1996
  • Cholewicki J, McGill S M, Relationship between muscle force and stiffness in the whole mammalian muscle: a simulation study., Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, 117(3), 339-42, August 1995 Abstract
  • Cholewicki J, McGill S M, Norman R W, Comparison of muscle forces and joint load from an optimization and EMG assisted lumbar spine model: towards development of a hybrid approach., Journal of Biomechanics, 28(3), 321-31, March 1995 Abstract
  • Cholewicki J, McGill S M, EMG assisted optimization: a hybrid approach for estimating muscle forces in an indeterminate biomechanical model., Journal of Biomechanics, 27(10), 1287-9, October 1994 Abstract
  • Cholewicki J, The mechanical role of lumbar ligaments in lifting An invited review article, Journal of Orthopaedic Medicine, 15, 39-48, 1993
  • Cholewicki J, McGill SM, Lumbar posterior ligament involvement during extremely heavy lifts estimated from fluoroscopic measurements, Journal of Biomechanics, 25(1), 17-28, January 1992 Abstract
  • Cholewicki J, McGill S M, Norman R W, Lumbar spine loads during the lifting of extremely heavy weights., Medicine and Science In Sports and Exercise, 23(10), 1179-86, October 1991 Abstract
  • Cholewicki J, McGill S M, Wells R P, Vernon H, Method for measuring vertebral kinematics from videofluoroscopy, Clinical Biomechanics, 6(2), 73-78, 1991

Profile Details

Last Verified: 3/10/2009

COS Expertise ID #397241
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