Effect of McKenzie method on the severity and location of pain in patients with lumbo-sacral discopathy

Abstract

Lumbar spine discopathy is a serious social and economical problem in both our country and around the world. The severity of pain significantly impairs the performance of basic activities such as: dressing, walking, sitting, sleeping, traveling, social and sexual life that make up the quality of life. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of rehabilitation conducted by McKenzie method on the value and localization of pain ailments. The study included 45 patients treated for pain ailments accompanying lumbar discopathy, in whom the analogue VAS scale was used to assess pain. There was no effect of gender, age and number of episodes of pain on the location of the pain. Pain ailments increased during bending (95.6%, N = 43), standing up (88.9%, N = 40) and standing (48.9%, N = 22), and decreased during lying down (77.8%, N = 35) and walking (73.3%, N = 33). McKenzie method treatment significantly influenced the location of the pain, because prior to treatment, patients experienced pain: within the leg and foot (40%, N = 18), thighs (36%, N = 16) and sacrum (24%, N = 11) and after therapy, these proportions were : 0%: 4%: 29% and 67% , respectively experienced no pain. Pain rated on a VAS scale decreased significantly from 6.58 ± 1.6 to 0.76 ± 0.86. Number of patients taking painkillers directly (66.7%, N = 30) and consistently (22.2%, N = 10) after the treatment was limited to only 1 patient receiving medications directly (2.22%, N = 1). McKenzie therapy significantly reduces the severity of pain ailments associated with lumbar discopathy, and also limits their range.