Abstract
Purpose: The study was based around putting an objective reading to the amount of
distal distraction needed prior to flexion when using flexion-distraction manual therapy.
Method: One hundred participants were divided into two groups. One group consisted
of 50 asymptomatic participants and the other group of 50 symptomatic participants
for lower back pain. Each participant underwent a once off examination and flexion
distraction treatment.
Procedure: Once off measurements were recorded for each participant. A case
history, full physical examination and region examination of the lumbar spine were
conducted prior to any measurements. Surface EMG values were recorded at rest
and at the end point of distraction. The amount of distraction between the lumbar and
thoracic sections of the table at the end point of distraction were recorded.
Results: Mean distraction between groups shows to have no difference with a mean
of 19,76 mm for the asymptomatic participants and a mean of 19,82 mm for the
symptomatic participants. Intragroup analysis of the distraction distance showed no
statistical difference between genders in both the symptomatic and asymptomatic
groups. Further intragroup analysis showed no statistical difference for distraction
distance between acute and chronic pain characters.
Conclusion: In the light of these findings it can be concluded that the optimum
therapeutic distance a flexion-distraction bed should be distracted is 19 mm prior to
flexion. This can be applied to both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients.