EFFECTIVENESS OF LUMBAR MANIPULATION (HIGH VELOCITY LOW AMPLITUDE) FOR THE TREATMENT OF LOW BACK PAIN IN COMPARISON TO BACK STRETCHING EXERCISES

OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of lumbar manipulation (high velocity low amplitude) for the treatment of low back pain in comparison to back stretching exercises. Randomized Control Trial (Experimental Study) The study was conducted on 200 patients at the Physiotherapy Department of Ziauddin Hospital among patients with history of low back pain of acute, sub acute or chronic origin. In this study, patients were divided into two groups, group A and group B equally. Group A of 100 patients received Lumbar Manipulation (High Velocity Low Amplitude) and at the same time Group B of 100 patients were treated by back stretching exercises. A pre tested and structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS. Pain was measured on Visual Analogue Scale before and after the given treatment. The study showed significant results for both the interventions in the treatment of low back pain but Lumbar Manipulation has been more effective in different types of low back pain while stretching exercises are less effective. On the basis of this study, we are very confident that lumbar manipulation is more effective for the treatment of low back pain compared to back stretching