Is Regression Possible in Lumbal Disc Herniation With Spinal Mobilization Applications?

Disc herniation is the herniation of the nucleus pulposus, which is the disc material, into the spinal canal along the fibers of the annulus fibrosus. Spinal herniations that affect the whole spine are most common in the lumbar region, and most often in the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels in this region. Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a common cause of low back pain, radicular pain, and radiculopathy, resulting in disability. Depending on the size of the herniation, the nerve is compressed in the lateral recess or in the foraminal or extraforaminal space. The pathophysiology of pain includes direct nerve root compression and local inflammation. Scientists have found that myelography is not as sensitive as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing lumbar disc herniation, and MRI has a higher positivity rate. Compared with computed tomography, it has more imaging parameters, multiple tissue variable functions, more flexible and comprehensive, no radiation and no harm to the human body, and the diagnostic accuracy is better than CT scanning. Because of these advantages, MRI is the gold standard imaging method in the diagnosis of LDH. There are various treatment options available for LDH patients. These are basically divided into 2 categories: surgical and conservative care. Conservative care includes oral medications, corticosteroid and anesthetic infiltrations (nerve root injections), bed rest, exercise therapy, flexion/distraction therapy, manipulation and mobilization.Mobilization applications are passive movements that do not involve pushing or stimuli, applied within the range of motion or up to the physiological range of motion. Mobilization has mechanical effects such as increasing tissue flexibility, separating adhesions, relieving joint limitation and reducing intra-articular pressure. Evidence suggests that mobilizations cause a neurophysiological effect that results in sympathetic arousal, reduced neural mechanical sensitivity, mechanical hypoalgesia, and normalized muscle activity, endurance, and pain-free strength.There are many studies on the clinical use of mobilization methods. While most of these studies examine the effects of mobilization on pain and functional status in patients with low back pain, there are also studies examining the effects of mobilization on pain, functional status and activities of daily living in patients with LDH. In the literature, it has been determined that regression in the lumbar disc herniation distance is achieved with conservative treatment and medical treatment approaches. It is observed that there are studies examining the effect of manipulation on the herniation distance, which is one of the non-invasive Spinal Decompression Therapy method and Manual therapy methods. However, there is no study in the literature investigating the regression of spinal mobilization applications in LDH patients.The aim of our study is to examine the effects of spinal mobilization applications applied in three different planes in addition to stabilization exercises on radiological findings such as herniation distance, disc height and facet joint distance in LDH patients. Apart from radiological findings, it was also aimed to investigate the effects of patients on functional status, pain and flexibility.

Inclusion criteria

• It was determined as being diagnosed with LDH by MR by a physical therapy physician
• Having pain of at least 3 levels or more according to the Visual Analogue Scale
• Being between the ages of 18-65.

Exclusion criteria

• History of spinal surgery
• History of autoimmune disease (ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis or other)
• Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis
• Spinal fracture
• Heart pathology
• History of stroke,
• Cauda equina syndrome
• Continuous use of pain medication
• Spinal inflammation,
• Spinal tumor
• Covid
• Pregnancy