Effect of Hamstring Stretching and Neural Mobilization on Range of Motion and Low Back Pain

This study was designed to answer 3 primary research questions: 1. In adults with low back pain, reduced SLR ROM (Range of Motion) and a positive sensitized SLR (Straight leg raise) test, does neurodynamic mobilization result in greater SLR ROM, pain reduction and perceived improvement than muscle stretching? 2. In adults with low back pain, reduced SLR ROM and a negative sensitized SLR test, does muscle stretching result in greater SLR ROM, pain reduction and perceived improvement than neurodynamic mobilization? 3. In adults with low back and reduced SLR, does neurodynamic mobilization or muscle stretching result in greater SLR ROM, pain reduction and perceived improvement irrespective of the outcome of SLR sensitization? The research hypotheses are threefold: 1. Subjects determined to have nerve-related pain and ROM restrictions by a positive sensitized SLR test would benefit more from neurodynamic mobilization than muscle stretching. 2. Subjects determined to have muscle-related pain and ROM restrictions by a negative sensitized SLR test would benefit more from muscle stretching than neurodynamic mobilization. 3. Subjects would benefit the same from muscle stretching and neurodynamic mobilization when not matched on the outcome of the SLR sensitization.