Positional Distraction and Stabilization Exercises in Adults With Lumbar Radiculopathy.

In positioanl distraction making use of the body position to produce traction at an isolated spinal level to maximally open the affected neuroforamen. It is an alternative to lumbar mechanical traction.

The spinal level of vertebral level requiring traction is palpated and a soft roll is placed and the patient side lies on the unaffected side. For further distraction both hips are flexed until movement is noted at the spinal level needing traction.

Further, distraction applied by rotating upper trunk to opposite side of pain.

Stabilization exercises are mainly used for the stability of joints and for improving muscle strength.

The first step of lumbar stabilization exercises are to maintain functional back positions during all activities. The second step is to improve strength and endurance of the core muscles.

Inclusion criteria

• Clinical diagnosis of lumbar radiculopathy
• Age limit 30-50 years
• Both males and females
• Pain history more than 12 weeks but less than one year
• Patient having lumbar disc bulge at maximum two adjacent levels

Exclusion criteria

• Any type of tumor and infection in the spine
• Spondylolisthesis at L4- L5, L5-S1
• Fracture of the lumbar spine
• Sciatica other than lumbar region (piriformis syndrome)
• Acute cardiopulmonary conditions
• Morbid obesity (BMI > 30)