The Short-Term Efficacy of Mulligan Traction Straight Leg Raise on Low Back Pain Associated With Hamstring Tightness in Young Adults

Background and objective Low back pain (LBP) is a very common problem faced by people globally; with a prevalence rate of almost 84%, it is nowadays commonly seen in the young adult population too. This population is also prone to a sedentary lifestyle, leading to hamstring tightness. As this population has very little time to spare in terms of long-term treatment, the Mulligan traction straight leg raise (TSLR) technique might be ideal for them as it is effective even in a short amount of time and may help treat LBP and hamstring tightness in a noninvasive manner and improve flexibility simultaneously. Materials and methods For LBP, an assessment of the pain rating scale was performed. For hamstring tightness, the active knee extension test (AKET), V-sit and reach test, and fingertip-to-floor test were employed with the help of a goniometer, plinth, inch tape, and chalk. Mulligan TSLR was performed for three consecutive days. After three days, an assessment was conducted to record the level of improvement. Results The investigations were performed in 100 young adults of which 60 (60%) were females and 40 (40%) were males. Normal BMI was observed in 67 (67%) participants while the remaining 33 (33%) participants were in the overweight category. LBP and hamstring tightness decreased after the application of the treatment, and the difference with the pre-treatment situation was statistically significant(p<0.0001). This signifies that the treatment is effective. Conclusions The present study demonstrated a significant reduction in LBP associated with hamstring tightness after the short-term application of Mulligan TSLR. Our findings show that this method alone can alleviate acute pain and tightness, leading to improvement in range of motion and muscle flexibility.