title: Mobilisation of the thoracic spine in the management of spondylolisthesis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Segmental instability due to lumbar spondylolisthesis is a potential cause of chronic low back pain. Hypomobility of the spine results in compensatory segmental hypermobility of the segment above or below restricted segments. Therefore, the aim of the study is to determine the effects of mobilisation of the hypomobile upper thoracic spine along with conventional flexion exercises and stretching of short hip flexors on the degree of slippage and the functions of the persons with lumbar spondylolisthesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients with spondylolisthesis were randomly assigned into two groups: Group I - Experimental group, treated with mobilisation of the thoracic spine along with the conventional physiotherapy and Group II - Conventional group, treated with conventional stretching, strengthening, and lumbar flexion exercise programme.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The experimental group treated with mobilisation of the thoracic spine shows a significant reduction in the percentage of vertebral slip from pre-treatment to post-treatment measurements.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low back pain due to spondylolisthesis may be benefited by mobilisation of the thoracic spine along with stretching of short hip flexors, piriformis, lumbar flexion range of motion exercises, core strengthening exercises, etc.
authors.affiliation: Swami Vivekanand National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research, Olatpur, Cuttack, 754010, Odisha, India. Electronic address: ppmphysio@rediffmail.com.
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Mohanty
authors.affiliation: Swami Vivekanand National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research, Olatpur, Cuttack, 754010, Odisha, India.
authors.forename: Monalisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pattnaik
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026201:Musculoskeletal Manipulations / Q000379:methods*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013168:Spondylolisthesis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae
keywords: Maitland; Mobilisation; Muscle energy technique; Myofascial pain syndrome; Spondylolisthesis; Thoracic dysfunctions