Most Recent Evidence to Support Mulligan Traction SLR

Most Recent Evidence to Support Mulligan Traction SLR

Reference:Hall T, et al Mulligan Traction Straight Leg Raise: A Pilot Study to Investigate Effects on Range of Motion in Patients with Low Back Pain. The Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy Vol. 14 No. 2 (2006), 95 – 100

The aim of this study was to determine the immediate effects of the Mulligan traction straight leg raise technique on range of straight leg raise (SLR) in subjects with low back pain (LBP).

Result:In subjects with LBP with a unilateral limitation of SLR, the traction SLR intervention produced a significant increase in range of SLR of 11�.

Interestingly, even if the subjects had signs of neural tissue sensitivity (i.e. ‘sciatica’), they still had immediate improvements in their SLR range after the traction SLR treatment.

Clinical Relevance: Although this was a relatively small study, it does support the clinical use of the Mulligan traction SLR technique for patients with LBP presenting with a positive SLR test.

Posted on: July 19, 2006

Categories: Lumbar Spine