Effectiveness of Lumbar Exercise and Manual Therapy on Low back pain, Disability, ROM and Neural Mobility in PIVD – A Narrative Review

The present review concludes that both lumbar exercise and manual therapy are effective interventions in the management of patients with Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc (PIVD), contributing significantly to reductions in pain and disability, as well as improvements in range of motion (ROM) and neural mobility. However, the evidence consistently demonstrates that a combined, multimodal approach integrating lumbar stabilization exercises, manual therapy, and neural mobilization techniques produces superior and more sustained clinical outcomes compared to isolated treatment strategies. Lumbar exercises play a critical role in restoring spinal stability, improving neuromuscular control, and preventing recurrence, while manual therapy provides rapid pain relief and enhances joint mobility, thereby facilitating active rehabilitation. Overall, an integrated physiotherapy approach that combines active and passive interventions, along with patient adherence to prescribed exercise programs, is essential for optimizing functional recovery and long-term outcomes in individuals with lumbar PIVD.

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