Efficacy of Neural Mobilization in Treatment of Low Back Dysfunctions

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of lumbar mobilization techniques and neural mobilization technique on sciatic pain, functional disabilities, centralization of symptoms in patients, latency of Hoffmann reflex, and of degree of nerve root compromise in chronic low back dysfunction (LBD). Pre-test post-test group design has been used. Sixty patients with chronic (LBD) from both sexes were involved, aged between 30 – 60 years. They were divided into two equal groups, Group (A) received lumbar spine mobilization and exercise intervention and Group (B) received Straight leg raising stretching (SLR) in addition to lumbar mobilization and exercise. Self-report measures included a body diagram to assess the distribution of symptoms, numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), modified Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Patients recorded the location of their symptoms on the body diagram to determine the extent to which centralization occurred after treatment, The results of study revealed that: there was a significant difference between both groups on pain (p = 0.006), functional disabilities improvement (0.001), location of symptoms (p = 0.083) and sciatic nerve root compression (p = 0.035). However there is no significant Differences in H-reflex latency (p = 0.873) between group A and group B (post test). It is concluded that straight leg raising (SLR) stretching may be beneficial in the management of patients with LBD. SLR stretching in addition to lumbar spine mobilization and exercise was beneficial in improving pain, reducing short-term disability and promoting centralization of symptoms in this group of patients. [Sahar M. Adel Efficacy of Neural Mobilization in Treatment of Low Back Dysfunctions. Journal of American http://www.americanscience.org 1003). N: 1545 ]. (ISS 573 566 Science 2011;7(4):