Low back pain (LBP) is one of the commonest musculoskeletal disorders and one of the most demanding ones in cost of care and medical attention. It was stated earlier that 70% of adults would experience LBP at least once over their lifespan. Furthermore, over 80% of such patients report recurrent episodes. The worldwide point prevalence of low back pain (acute, subacute and chronic) was 7.83% in 2017, with 577 million people affected at any one time. In 2017, low back pain was responsible for around 65 million years lived with disability, representing a deterioration of about 17.5% since 2007 mainly owing to population growth and ageing, with the greatest increase recorded for low-income and middle-income countries. People more often leave their job because of low back pain than diabetes, hypertension, neoplasm, asthma, heart and respiratory disease combined. A sedentary lifestyle with a lack of physical activity results in the loss of muscle power and strength and can be a predictor of LBP leading to recurrent LBP. Non-specific chronic low back pain (NS-CLBP) is defined as lumbar pain persisting for longer than three months, in absence of a suspected pathology (red flag conditions such as e.g. tumor, infection or fracture).Patients commonly have limited range of motion and dis-coordination in the function of various body parts due to pain. Nonspecific LBP is described as pain that has no specific pathology as infection, neoplasm, etc.; rather, it might develop for mechanical reasons. It is characterized by heavy pain worsening with exertion, especially in the afternoon, and reliving with rest. Moreover, the application of faulty ergonomic principles may be a cause of LBP or worsen its symptoms. Chronic LBP is associated with histomorphologic and structural changes in the paraspinalis muscles. These back muscles are smaller, contain fat, and show a degree of atrophic changes in select muscle fibers. Therefore, the lumbar paraspinalis muscles are weak with excessive fatigability. Furthermore, poor coordination of the paraspinalis muscles has been associated with chronic LBP. These contribute to a vicious cycle of LBP and deconditioning syndrome. One type of NSCLBP is continuing and recurrent primarily nociceptive CLBP due to vertebral joint overload subsequent to functional instability of the lumbar spine. This condition may occur due to disruption of the motor control system to the key stabilizing muscles in the lumbar spine, particularly the lumbar multifidus muscle (MF).Traditionally, treatment of CLBP has focused on analgesia and activity restriction. However, this treatment is ineffective and can even be harmful, generating distrust among patients and frustration towards PHCPs. Most guidelines agree on the first line of care in case of acute episode: advice, reassurance and encouragement to engage in light physical activity. When second-line treatment is needed, a range of therapeutic interventions (pharmacological and physiotherapy) for acute NSLBP are available. Patients with CLBP usually have more comorbidity and impose greater economic burdens to the society than those without CLBP. Recent research shows that the number of people with disabilities caused by chronic LBP has increased by 54% in the last 30 years.Thus, LBP poses substantial challenges for the medical system, creates socioeconomic issues for working-age adults, and levies a severe medical burden on individuals and society.
Nonspecific CLBP pain is associated with major depression, decreased productivity, disability, and reduced life quality. Therefore, there is an urgent need for research to better understand the underlying mechanisms that cause and sustain nonspecific CLBP and guide effective treatments. Exercise is an effective, non-pharmacologic treatment for chronic LBP, and most clinical practice guidelines recommend exercise as first-line treatment for chronic LBP. However, there is limited evidence about which exercise is best and the long-term effects of different exercise-based treatments.Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) training has been recommended for sensorimotor control training as well as for stimulating lumbar muscle proprioception. Basic procedures, such as rotational patterns of movement and different techniques, including rhythmic stabilization, dynamic reversals, combination of isotonics, repeated contractions, and contract-relax, can be applied to improve flexibility, muscle strength, and movement. Thus, the concept of PNF is to enhance joint coordination, muscle strength, movement control, stability, and mobility. Its main objective is to reach the highest possible functional level. To achieve the highest functional level, therapists apply motor control and motor learning principles when using PNF. Exercises improve muscle strength, flexibility, endurance, and ability to perform life activities. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) involves stretching, resisted movements which improves muscle disharmony, atrophy, and joint movement limitation. Lumbar stabilization exercises (LSE) develop the awareness of muscle contraction and control from simple to complex patterns. Both exercises are effective individually in chronic low back pain patients. This study was conducted to find out which technique is better.
