Comparison Between Lumbar Stabilization Exercises and Lumbar Manipulation on Multifidus Muscle in Chronic Low Back Pain This Study Will Investigate and Compare the Effect of Lumbar Stabilization Exercises and Manipulation on Multifidus Muscle in Chronic Low Back Pain

Histological and morphological changes of multifidus muscle have been reported in lumbar disc herniation (LDH), but there is scarce research comparing the efficacy of different treatment programs that can correct multifidus dysfunction in chronic low back pain (LBP) with LDH. The purpose: this study will be to investigate and compare the effect of lumbar stabilization exercises and manipulation on multifidus muscle in chronic LBP patients with LDH. Subjects: sixty patients aged ranged from 45 - 65 years suffering from chronic LBP with LDH will be randomly assigned into three groups, each group includes 20 patients. Method: group (A) (control group) will receive general exercises for back muscles, group (B) will receive general exercises and lumbar stabilization exercises, and group (C) will receive general exercises and lumbar manipulation (B and C experimental groups). The outcome measurements pre and post 6 weeks of treatment will be pain intensity by visual analogue scale (VAS), functional disabilities by Oswestry disability index (ODI), lumbar repositioning by Biodex system (LR), cross sectional area (CSA) and the asymmetry of both sides of multifidus muscle at the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae by ultrasonography.