Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Low back pain (LBP) is a common complaint in the postnatal period. Physiotherapy has many techniques to apply for such cases.
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effect of central postero-anterior(PA) lumbar mobilization on muscle activity in postpartum LBP.
METHODS:
Forty-five females with chronic LBP at least three months postnatal. Participants divided randomly and equally into three groups. Group A (Study group) received PA lumbar mobilization plus traditional treatment which consisted of Ultrasonic and Infra-red. Group B (Placebo group) received placebo mobilization plus traditional treatment. Group C(Control group) received traditional treatment only. All patients received 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks. Pain intensity, functional disabilities and Surface EMG for recording para spinal muscle activity were measured before and after intervention. Statistical analysis was done by ANOVA and paired t-test.
RESULTS:
Central PA mobilization showed a significant reduction(P< 0.05) in the average surface EMG activity of the erector spinae musculature compared with the other groups as well as improvement in functional ability and reduction in pain intensity.
CONCLUSION:
A central PA mobilization significantly reduced pain intensity and surface EMG activity of erector spinae musculature as well as improvement in functional ability in mechanical low back pain in postnatal females.