Mechanical low back pain: etiology and conservative management.
OBJECTIVE
To review literature pertaining to low back pain (including lumbar disk herniation) and its treatment by manipulative therapy and rehabilitative exercises.


METHODS
A Medline literature search was performed. English and foreign language materials were reviewed. Key words included the following: manipulation, manipulative therapy, lumbar intervertebral disk herniation, lower back pain.


METHODS
The studies detailed the neurologic and biomechanical aspects of manipulative therapy, as well as the efficacy of manipulative and rehabilitative management of mechanical low back pain. Also included were studies detailing the etiology of mechanical low back pain.


RESULTS
Recent studies have indicated there are certain activities that commonly precipitate lower back injuries. Several methods of treatment for these injuries are discussed. The review indicated the most effective form of treatment is manipulative therapy. The neurologic and biomechanical aspects of manipulation are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Low back pain is a common cause of physical, emotional and financial distress. This paper concluded that manipulative therapy is an efficacious as well as cost-effective method of treatment in cases of mechanical low back pain.
Pustaver Chiropractic Care, Matthews, NC 28105.
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Pustaver
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002684:Chiropractic / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008349:Manipulation, Orthopedic / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors