Effectiveness of Mckenzie Exercises Versus Neural Flossing Technique in Patients with Lumbar Radiculopathy

Abstract

Background: Lumbar radiculopathy is a term used to describe a range of symptoms that includes pain, tingling,numbness, and weakness that spreads along the pathway of the sciatic nerve. This condition can arise when any ofthe five sciatic spinal nerve roots become compressed or irritated, affecting one or both lower limbs.Purpose: The study is to compare the effectiveness of McKenzie exercises and the neural flossing technique inmanaging lumbar radiculopathy in patients.Methodology: The study recruited 40 participants with lumbar radiculopathy, randomly allocating them to GroupA (McKenzie exercises along with laser therapy) and Group B (neural flossing with low-level laser therapy). Themodified Oswestry Disability Index and Numeric Pain Rating Scale were used to assess outcomes.Results: The results showed that the neural flossing technique (Group B) demonstrated statistically significantimprovements in reducing pain and improving function compared to the McKenzie exercises (Group A) posttreatment.Group B had significantly lower NPRS scores (p < 0.0001) and a higher improvement in MODI scorescompared to Group A.Conclusion: In this study, the neural flossing technique (Group B) showed superior outcomes in managing lumbarradiculopathy compared to McKenzie exercises (Group A). Group B exhibited significantly lower pain levels andgreater improvement in functional disability. These findings suggest that the neural flossing technique may be amore effective treatment option for patients with lumbar radiculopathy.