Year: 2026 | Month: January-March | Volume: 11 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 195-201
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/gijhsr.20260123
Effectiveness of McKenzie Back Extension Technique in Reducing Pain and Improving Functional Ability in a Patient with Chronic Lumbar Disc Bulge: A Case Study
Chaithanya1, K H Bharath2, Roshna Stylian3
1,2,3Department of Physiotherapy, Mangala College of Physiotherapy, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Mangalore, India.
Corresponding Author: Chaithanya
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Lumbar disc bulge is a common spinal disorder characterized by the radiating pain and functional disability, often associated with radicular symptoms. Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), commonly known as the McKenzie Technique, is widely used to manage discogenic pain by promoting pain centralization and improving spinal mobility. However, there are limited case-based reports that document the effectiveness of McKenzie techniques in chronic disc bulge conditions.
Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of McKenzie back extension technique in reducing pain and improving functional ability in a patient with chronic lumbar disc bulge.
Materials and Methods: A 36-year-old male patient diagnosed with chronic lumbar disc bulge was selected for the case study. The study intervention consisted of McKenzie back extension techniques performed regularly for a duration of seven weeks. The patient was assessed pre- and post- intervention using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) for functional disability.
Results: At the end of seven weeks, the patient demonstrated significant reduction in pain scores and improvement in functional ability. Pain was centralized from distal region to lumbar spine, and ODI scores indicated marked improvement in daily activities.
Conclusion: McKenzie back extension techniques proved effective in reducing pain intensity, centralizing symptoms, and improving functional disability in a patient with chronic lumbar disc bulge.
Keywords: McKenzie Back Extension Technique, low back pain, centralization, Visual Analogue Scale, Oswestry Disability Index