BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Low back pain is a public health problem and among physiotherapeutic treatment modalities there are joint mobilizations, such as central posteroanterior joints. However, there is a gap with regard to mobilization of all lumbar vertebrae. So, this study aimed at evaluating the effects of different Maitland mobilizations levels, in all lumbar spine vertebrae, in healthy volunteers, to assess pain intensity to cold and pressure.
METHODS:
This was a crossover clinical trial, with 15 female volunteers who received posteroanterior mobilizations, varying the level between I-IV. In one of the weeks, volunteers received no mobilization. Studied variables were pain intensity to cold and pain threshold to pressure, previous to mobilization (AV1), 5 (AV2) and 35 minutes after mobilization (AV3).
RESULTS:
It was observed that 35 minutes after mobilization for levels II and III there has been significant pain intensity decrease to cold as compared to AV1, what was also true for levels III and IV as compared to AV2. There have been no significant differences in pressure threshold evaluation.
CONCLUSION:
Mobilizations have produced as from LII significant decrease in pain intensity to cold, but there has been no effect with regard to pain to pressure.
Physiotherapy modalities; Therapy with exercises; Spine