Clinical Application of the Panjabi Neutral Zone Hypothesis
The neutral zone (NZ) is a region of intervertebral motion around the neutral posture where little resistance is offered by the passive spinal column. The NZ appears to be a clinically important measure of spinal stability function. Its size may increase with injury to the spinal column, which in turn may result in spinal instability or low-back pain. Dynamic stabilization systems are designed to support and stabilize the spine while maintaining range of motion (ROM). The Stabilimax NZ device has been designed to reduce the NZ after spinal injury to treat pain while preserving ROM.

Dynamic stabilization systems are designed to support and stabilize the spine while maintaining ROM. Panjabi and colleagues have developed the principle of the NZ, a region of high flexibility either in flexion or extension around the neutral posture position in which there is little resistance to motion.