Pain, Range of Motion and Back Strength in Chronic Mechanical Low Back Pain before & after Lumbar Mobilisation

Background: Joint mobilisations in the spine are used as an integral part of the treatment and rehabilitation to alleviate pain and reduce stiffness. Mobilisation has also been used to improve muscle strength as described in the literature. However, there is dearth of data exploring the effect of mobilisation on muscle strength in CLBP. Purpose: To investigate the effects of lumbar mobilisation on pain, range of motion and back strength chronic mechanical low back pain patients. Materials and Methods: Thirty subjects with chronic back pain participated in the randomized clinical trial. The effects of lumbar mobilisation & exercises were compared with the exercises alone. Pain levels were measured using visual analog scale, lumbar extension range of motion using modified Schobers test and strength by back-leg-chest dynamometer. Measurements were done before & after 2 and 4 weeks respectively. Results: A significantly greater improvement in pain (p=0.001); ROM (p=0.002); strength (p=0.001) after 4 weeks in experimental group than the control group. Conclusion: This study therefore provides experimental evidence to support the use of lumbar mobilization along with the exercises for the management of patients with chronic mechanical low back pain, who responded favourably to the intervention.