To Compare The Effect Of Core Stability Exercises And Muscle Energy Techniques On Low Back Pain Patients.

Abstract

Low back pain is considered one of the commonest condition in the western and industrialized countries. It is estimated that up to 50% of adults experience low back pain during their life span. People of all age group can be effected by this menace irrespective to their gender and quality of life. It has become one of the leading causes for the visit to physician thus also puts a heavy burden on the currency of the country. Physiotherapy is the most widely used form of treatment adopted for gaining relief from low back pain. The exercises include stretching, strengthening, range of motion exercises, McKenzie therapy and core stability exercises other techniques like muscle energy technique etc. It has been concluded in various studies core stability exercises and muscle energy technique are beneficial in low back pain patients but comparison of their effect needs to be established to provide early and better relief from the disability. Therefore objective of the study was to compare the effect of core stability exercises and muscle energy techniques on low back pain patients. 60 subjects aged 18 – 45 years with low back pain were made part of the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and were then divided into three groups named A, B and C. Group A received core stability exercise and conventional physiotheraphy and group B received muscle energy techniques and conventional physiotherapy. The exercise program was given on alternate days with a total of 24 sessions and progression of the activity was made within the tolerance of the patient. Pre and post treatment readings were taken of pain, ROM and quality of life scale. Results were analyzed using paired, unpaired ttest and ANOVA. Results showed that there is significant effect on pain, ROM and quality of life scale in the three groups but group A was clinically more significant than the other groups. The study concluded that patients with low back pain are benefitted more by core stability exercises. So, core stability exercises should be practiced more.