A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MANUAL TRACTION AND MECHANICAL TRACTION ON ACUTE DISCOGENIC PAIN

Background and purpose: Acute low back pain is defined as Low back pain that has been present for less than three months and it was estimated that 80% of the population suffers from low back pain (LBP) at some point of their lives. Low back pain is the primary factors which limit activity in patients less than 45 years old and it is of significant socio-economic relevance because it may lead to temporary loss of productivity, enormous medical and indirect costs or even leads to permanent disability. The purpose of study was to compare a manual traction versus mechanical traction for reduce acute discogenic pain. Method: The study was conducted at JKK Munirajah Medical Research Foundation college of physiotherapy Out Patient department 30 subjects were selected in random sampling method. They were divided into 2 Group, namely Group A and Group B with 15 subjects in each Group. The enrolled 30 subjects were randomly allotted to two Group A (15) &B (15).After recruitment on eligibility, informed consent is obtained on explaining the treatment to be given. Result: The result showed that there was statistical significant difference between Group A and B. The acute discogenic pain patient who was treated with manual traction had shown good improvement in reduction of acute discogenic pain. Conclusion: The study concluded that there was a statistically significant improvement in reduction of pain improving flexibility and functional ability after the treatment of manual traction for 4 weeks. Thus the study concluded that manual traction (MAT) was the effective treatment than mechanical traction (MET) of acute discogenic low back pain.