Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background chronic mechanical low back pain is a common clinical condition encountered by physical therapist. It is caused by mechanical origin that lasts more than three months. Purpose the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of suboccipital muscle inhibition technique on pain intensity, lumbar range of motion, and functional disability in patients with chronic mechanical low back pain. Methods thirty female patients with mean age (23.8±0.86) years old who have chronic mechanical low back pain were randomly assigned into two equal groups. Group (A) received exercises (stretching and strengthening) and suboccipital muscle inhibition technique for five consecutive sessions. Group (B) received the same exercises (stretching and strengthening) only for five consecutive sessions. Both groups were assessed using visual analogue scale for pain intensity, modified- modified schober's test for range of motion of lumbar (flexion, extension), and oswestry functional disability questionnaire for functional disability. Assessment was done before and at the end of the treatment sessions. Results the study results showed that there is significant improvement in pain intensity, range of motion of both lumbar (flexion, extension) and functional disability in both groups (A & B) with (P<0.05). There was no statistical significant difference between the two groups, however there was clinical difference in favor to group (A). Conclusion it is concluded that, there is no statistical significant difference between the two groups in dealing with patients with chronic mechanical low back pain

Issued also as CD