Rehabilitation of lower back pain with manual therapy and electrotherapy

Definition-Introduction: Lower back pain is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal problems in physiotherapeutic clinical practice, with the most frequent incidence in the middle and later ages. Spondylarthrosis lumbalis is part of the osteoarthritis group and involves injuries to the articular cartilage level and it is associated with destructive and constructive phenomena (osteophytes). Spondylarthrosis can be developed in different parts of the vertebrae columns. Lumbal spondylarthrosis affects the vertebrae at level L1-L5. It is a degeneration of vertebrae and discs in the cervical region associated with aging. Physiotherapy can be used alone or combined with electrotherapy for the purpose of rehabilitation and muscular strengthening. Aim: The study aims to identify the effects of physiotherapy in the rehabilitation of Lower back pain. Methodology: Prospective study at the rheumatology department in “Mother Teresa” hospital, Tirana, from April to September 2018. Patients were selected randomly. The age of patients included in the study were from 25 to 55 years old. 40 patients were diagnosed with sub acute and chronic lumbago by the rheumatologist. The excluded criteria were: neurological problems (radiculopathy), orthopedic operations and polyneuropathy. Patients were divided into two groups: Group I of the study was treated for 15 days with electrotherapy (TENS, ultrasound). The second group of patients was treated for 15 days with combined therapy with manual, exercises and electrotherapy. Québec Questionnaire was used to evaluate daily activity of patients. Results: The therapy used are electrotherapy, manual therapy and exercises. Group I: The Quebec back pain disability scale of the patients on the first day of treatment was 3.81, while on the last day was 2.27. As a result, the electrotherapy has increased the functionality of patients in their daily activity. Group II: The Quebec back pain disability scale of the patients on the first day of treatment was 3.9, while on the last day was 1.36. As a result, the combined therapy has considerably increased functionality in daily activity of patients. Conclusions: By concluding, the most effective therapy for the rehabilitation of the lower back pain is combined therapy with manual therapy, exercises and electrotherapy. This conclusion is also supported by International evidence. Key words: Lower Back Pain, exercises, Ultrasound, Electrotherapy, Patients.