EFFECT OF MULLIGAN’S STRETCHING AND CONVENTIONAL STRETCHING TECHNIQUE ON LUMBO-PELVIC MOBILITY IN SUBJECTS WITH NON-SPECIFIC LOW BACK PAIN – A RCT

To compare the effect of Mulligan’s stretching technique and Conventional stretching technique of hip muscles on lumbo-pelvic mobility in subjects with non-specific low back pain in terms of Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (MODQ), Modified Schober’s Test (MMST), Tape method and Flexible-curve. To compare the effect of Mulligan’s stretching technique and Conventional stretching technique of hip muscles on lumbo-pelvic mobility in subjects with non-specific low back pain in terms of Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (MODQ), Modified Schober’s Test(MMST), Tape method and Flexible-curve.

Thirty subjects diagnosed with non-specific low back pain with reduced lumbo-pelvic mobility were included in the study and randomly divided in two groups of 15 subjects each where group A received conventional stretching and group B received Mulligan’s stretching technique along with the conventional treatment which included HMP for 20 minutes and TENS for 20 minutes. Outcome measures were assessed on the 1^st day pre intervention, 7^th day post intervention and 14^th day post intervention where pain intensity was assessed using NPRS, lumbar range of motion was measured using MMST and tape method, functional disability was evaluated using MODQ and lumbar lordosis angle was measured using Flexi curve.

In the present study, within group analysis showed pain relief, improving lumbar range of motion, reduced disability and reduced lumbar lordosis angle which was statistically significant in both the groups whereas the between group analysis revealed that, Group B was statistically significant in improving the lumbar extension range of motion as compared to Group B.

The present Randomized Controlled Trial concluded that Conventional stretching and Mulligans stretching along with conventional therapy in common are equally effective in relieving pain, improving lumbar range of motion, improving functional disability and reducing lumbar lordosis angle in subjects with non-specific low back pain. The Mulligan’s stretching technique has proved to be more effective in improving lumbar extension range of motion.

Based on the above results of the present study it was concluded that both the groups showed significant improvement in treating subjects with non-specific low back pain in terms of reducing pain, improving lumbar range of motion, reducing functional disability and reducing lumbar lordosis angle. The Mulligan’s stretching technique has proved to be more effective in improving lumbar extension range of motion.