McKenzie Protocol With/Without Postural Control Exercises on Pain, ROM, and Disability in Low Back Pain

The McKenzie Exercises focus on progressive spinal extension to alleviate back pain. Key steps include Extension in Standing, where patients lean backward and return to a neutral stance; Extension in Lying (Partial Range), involving partial pushups in a prone position; and Extension in Lying (Full Range), where patients fully extend their arms to achieve maximum spinal extension. Each movement is held for 1-2 seconds.

The PPCE program enhances core strength and stability through three stages. In the First Stage (2 weeks), core muscles are trained against gravity using movements like pelvic retroversion, crunches, and glute bridges. The Second Stage (3 weeks) incorporates a Swiss ball to challenge trunk muscles with instability. In the Third Stage (3 weeks), a Swiss ball, stretch bands, and a 5 kg sandbag are used to increase complexity on unstable surfaces. Each stage includes six movements, lasting 5 minutes each, for a total session duration of 30 minutes.

Subject were treated with McKenzie exercises without the addition of Progressive Postural Control Exercises (PPCE).The exercises included the following:

Standing Extension Exercises: Patients leaned backward from a balanced standing position, arching their back before returning to a neutral stance.

Extension in Lying (Partial Range): Performed in a prone position with hands placed under the shoulders, patients lifted their upper torso in a motion similar to a push-up.

Extension in Lying (Full Range): Similar to the partial range extension, but with fully extended arms, aiming for the maximum tolerated extension. Each movement was sustained for 1-2 seconds.

for 10 to 15 minutes