Effects of Two Neural Mobilization Techniques in Sciatica: A Comparative Study

Sciatica means pain along sciatic nerve distribution. The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy of sciatic nerve mobilization & flexion extension movements of head and cervical spine to improve neural mobility and function in patients with sciatica. 30 patients were taken for the study, divided into two groups: Group A and Group B. Both the groups were treated with IFT, ILT and back exercises. Group A was additionally given neural mobilization for sciatic nerve using SLR in addition. Group B was given flexion extension movements of head and cervical spine in addition. Modified Oswestry Back Disability Index Questionnaire, and goniometric Range of Motion of hip joint in SLR were taken at baseline after 7 days. There was improvement in both ROM of SLR and MODI score after 7 days. Both the techniques local sciatic nerve mobilization and flexion-extension movements of head and cervical spine are effective in improving neural mobility and physical disability in sciatica, local sciatic nerve mobilization using SLR being more effective of two in sciatica.