Affiliations: [a] College of Physiotherapy, MAMC, Haryana, India | [b] SVNIRTAR, Cuttack, India
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Rani Babina, College of Physiotherapy, MAMC, Agroha - 125047, Distt. Hisar, Haryana, India. Tel.: +91 999 649 9061; E-mail:[email protected]
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Altered respiratory function has been found to be
associated with back pain. Limited chest excursion in subjects with chronic
low back pain (CLBP) may be due to co-contraction or bracing of erector
spinae and abdominal muscles; their flexed spinal posture; and/or their
compromised spinal stability resulting from dysfunctional transversus
abdominis. OBJECTIVE: To check for the effects of thoracic mobilization on
respiratory parameters in subjects with chronic non-specific low back pain. METHODS: Sixty-two subjects (excluding 11 dropouts) with CLBP of
age group 30-60 were randomly allocated to two groups. Both groups received
individualized treatment for low back pain (LBP) and HEP (home exercise
program) regime of breathing exercises. In addition, group 1 received
Maitland's Central postero-anterior vertebral pressure for thoracic spine
(T1-T8). Total treatment duration was 10 sessions in 2 weeks (5
sessions/week). RESULTS: Results showed significant improvement in respiratory
parameters viz. Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Sustained Maximal Inspiratory
Pressure (SMIP) and Chest Wall Expansion (CWE) and Oswestry Disability Index
(ODI) in both groups (p< 0.05) at end of 2 weeks of intervention. However,
improvement was significantly more in group 1 (p < 0.05) receiving
additional thoracic mobilization. CONCLUSION: Subjects with non-specific chronic low back pain with
or without radiation to lower limbs when treated with thoracic central PA
mobilization, in addition to LBP specific treatment and breathing exercises,
show an improvement in respiratory parameters and reduction in disability.
Keywords: Chronic low back pain, thoracic mobilization, respiration
