IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF MODIFIED LUMBAR SNAGS IN NON-SPECIFIC CHRONIC LOW BACK PATIENTS: A PILOT STUDY

Background: Non-specific low back pain is prevalent in 23% with an incidence of 11-22% of general population. A modified lumbar SNAG is an existing Mulligan mobilization technique performed with a combination of joint glide and physiological spinal movement i.e. the lion exercise. Objective: To find out the immediate effect of modified lumbar SNAG on pain, range of motion and Back performance Scale in non-specific chronic low back patients. Methods: 30 subjects (mean age=36.9±10.07) were recruited for study. All patients received modified SNAG mobilization at the respective painful site followed by conventional therapy on the 1st day. The outcome measures were assessed pre and post mobilization. The subjects were further treated with conventional therapy for 10 sessions. Outcome measures: Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Lumbar flexion ROM & Back performance scale. Results: Mean difference between pre and post treatment values for VAS, Lumbar flexion ROM and Back Performance Scale were 2.58±1.44, 0.26±0.19 and 4.4±1.71 respectively. All outcome measures were highly significant with p=0.0001. Conclusion: The results conclude that modified lumbar SNAG has an immediate effect on reducing pain and Back performance scale score and an improvement in lumbar flexion ROM.