Neurodynamic Intervention for Lumbar Radiculopathy

Motor Control Exercises and Neurodynamic Intervention for Lumbar Radiculopathy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Low back pain (LBP) is a common condition and has a significant impact on the individual in terms of pain and disability. Lumbar radiculopathy occurs often with LBP and may be the result of a lumbar herniated disc which will irritate a lumbar nerve trunk resulting in intraneural inflammation. There is evidence supporting the use of manual therapies of lumbar radiculopathy. One potential manual therapy is neurodynamic mobilization technique. No scientific evidence, based on a RCT, exists that this particular approach is beneficial for individuals with LBP and lumbar radiculopathy

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects with a confirmed (via MRI) disc herniation at between L4 and S1 level;
• Subjects exhibiting lumbar radiating pain in the lower extremity for at least 3 months
• Subjects with a positive straight leg raise with symptoms reproduction

Exclusion Criteria:

• indication for surgical intervention;
• had a confirmed disc herniation at other lumbar levels;
• have had any other spinal conditions such as spinal tumors or spondylolisthesis;
• had received treatment for this condition by a physical therapist the previous 6 month;
• pregnancy