Abstract:

Chronic low back pain is prevalent in the western world. Lumbar radiculopathy is a common presentation in physical therapy daily practice.⁴ Large epidemiological studies show that: “20 to 30% of patients with chronic back pain suffer from a neuropathic pain component”.^4,7 Its diagnosis and management remain an enigma. There is no conclusive evidence for the long-term efficacy of spinal manipulation for any type of low back pain.³ There is no evidence that describes the efficacy of vertical oscillatory pressure (VOP) in the management of pain resulting from lumbar radiculopathy either. The few articles that report the effect of VOP did not quantify the intensity (grading) of the applied thrust to the spine.³ This case report describes and observe the result of applying a submaximal and maximal central posterior-anterior thrust (grade 3 and 4) vertical oscillatory pressure to the lumbar spine in a 32-year-old female with lumbar radiculopathy. In his prospective study, Onuwe observed a statistically significant difference in pain perception before and after vertebral mobilization.¹³ The purpose of this case report was to describe and observe the result of VOP in pain management of a 32-year-old female with lumbar radiculopathy.

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