McKenzie Mobilisation on Acute Lumbar Lateral Shift in Patients with Low Back Pain: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Low back pain is often associated with a lateral shift in the lumbar spine. McKenzie mobilisation produces a rapid reversal of the deformity and reduction in pain. The purpose of this review is to present an overview of the effects of McKenzie exercises in reducing pain and disability in individuals with an acute lumbar shift. A literature review was performed using four databases. All studies comprising the McKenzie method of treatment in the lateral lumbar shift were included. In total 18 articles were retrieved from the databases, of which six articles were finally selected to be included in this review. Six studies reported a reduction in pain, improvement in range of motion and reduction in disability. The present review identified supportive research for McKenzie treatment in individuals with an acute lumbar shift. However, more robust interventional trials are required to conclude the effectiveness of the McKenzie method in the acute lumbar list.

Keywords

• acute pain
• disc protrusion
• lumbar spine
• management
• manual therapy