Effect of lumbar stabilization exercises on lower back pain and function in case of lumbar–sacral radiculopathy

Research target: lower back pain and function. Research proposition: Lumbar –¬¬sacral radiculopathy or lower back pain is a very common working people issue. In 30%–35% cases a radiculopathy is caused by lumbar segmental instability. Lumbar stability is managed by deep spinal muscles. Scientists unitedly agree that the exercises performed on an unstable surface involve deep muscles more than conventional stabilization exercises. However, lumbar stabilization using unstable surfaces must be investigated further. The purpose of this research: To measure effect of lumbar stabilization exercises on lower back pain and function in case of lumbar – sacral radiculopathy whenever there is a spinal segmental instability and when it’s not. Research objects: 1. To measure and compare subjects with segmental instability and subjects without segmental instability of the intensity of pain before and after physical therapy. 2. To measure and compare subjects with segmental instability and subjects without segmental instability, functional disability before and after physical therapy. 3. To investigate and compare subjects with segmental instability and subjects without segmental instability, hip flexion amplitude of the neuro-test before and after physical therapy. 4. To evaluate and compare subjects with segmental instability and subjects without segmental instability of the spine stabilizing deep waist muscle endurance before and after physical therapy. Conclusions: 1. The two-week program of stabilization exercises using unstable surfaces had the same and significant effect in reducing low back pain in both subjects with or without segmental instability. 2. The two-week program of stabilization exercises using unstable surfaces had the same effect and significant effect of functional disability both subjects with or without segmental instability. 3. The two-week program of stabilization exercises using unstable surfaces had the same, and a significant effect on increasing hip flexion range of both subjects with or without segmental instability. 4. The two-week program of stabilization exercises using unstable surfaces had the same, and a significant effect on increasing the deep waist muscle endurance both subjects with or without segmental instability. Suggestions and recommendations: 1. For patients diagnosed with lumbar - sacral radiculopathy, experiencing lower back pain is there a lumbar segmental instability, it is recommended to perform spinal stabilization exercises using unstable surfaces. The obtained results showed that the exercise program with the unstable surface significantly reduced pain intensity, functional disability, nerve roots pressure symptoms, increased deep waist muscle endurance. Exercises should be started as early as possible with emphasis on exercise performance regularity. It is recommended to perform exercises five days a week for 45 minutes, at least two weeks. 2. Other researchers recommended a study with a higher test sample and the duration of the investigation, in order to evaluate the exercises with unstable performance for specific patients