Radicular low back pain (RLBP) is a common and debilitating condition characterized by nerve root irritation or compression, often resulting in altered biomechanics, muscular imbalances, and postural deviations such as anterior pelvic tilt.
Rehabilitation strategies commonly focus on improving flexibility, neuromuscular control, and nerve mobility. Among these, dynamic stretching and neural mobilization techniques have shown individual effectiveness, but limited evidence exists on their comparative or combined effects on pelvic alignment and functional outcomes, particularly in early middle-aged adults. Addressing this gap could support the development of more targeted, evidence-based rehabilitation protocols.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
Participants assigned to Group A will undergo a structured dynamic stretching protocol, designed to enhance lumbar flexibility, core muscle activation, and postural alignment, specifically targeting the pelvic inclination associated with radicular low back pain (RLBP). The intervention will be administered three times per week under the direct supervision of a qualified physiotherapist. Each session will last for 30 minutes, beginning with a 5-minute warm-up involving light aerobic activity such as marching or gentle trunk rotations to prepare the body for movement. This will be followed by 20 minutes of dynamic stretching exercises, focusing on the major muscle groups that influence pelvic and lumbar mobility.
Participants in Group B will receive a standardized neural mobilization intervention, targeting the sciatic nerve and lumbar plexus, known to contribute to pain and restricted mobility in radicular low back pain (RLBP). The treatment will be conducted three times per week, with each session lasting 30 minutes under the guidance of an experienced physiotherapist trained in neurodynamic techniques. The session will begin with a 5-minute preparatory phase to position the participant comfortably and explain the sequence of movements. This will be followed by 20 minutes of gentle neural mobilization techniques, including nerve sliders and tensioners, performed through movements such as the Straight Leg Raise (SLR) sliders and the Seated Slump mobilization technique.
Private clinic Hyderabad Sindh
Hyderābād, Sindh, Pakistan
Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is a subjective but highly sensitive tool used for assessing pain intensity in clinical and research settings. It consists of a 10- centimeter horizontal line with endpoints labeled "0 = No pain" and "10 = Worst imaginable pain." Participants will be instructed to mark a point on the line that best reflects the intensity of their current pain, both at rest and during movement. The distance (in centimeters) from the "no pain" anchor to the marked point is then measured and recorded as the pain score.
Time frame: 12 Months
Modified Schober Test
It is a reliable and simple clinical method used to assess lumbar spine flexibility, particularly in the sagittal plane. It measures the extent of lumbar flexion by quantifying the increase in distance between two anatomical landmarks during forward bending. To perform the test, the examiner marks a point at the level of the posterior superior iliac spines (PSIS), which corresponds approximately to the L5 vertebra. A second mark is made 10 cm above and a third mark 5 cm below the initial point. The participant is then asked to bend forward as far as possible while keeping the knees straight.
Time frame: 12 Months
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