Introduction: The therapeutic modalities available for the conservative management of chronic
lumbar pain included infrared laser therapy and underwater traction, which usefulness is not
universally acknowledged. This study was intended to ascertain any beneficial impact of infrared
laser therapy and weightbath treatment on the clinical parameters and quality of life of patients with
lumbar discopathy.
Material and methods: The study population comprised 54 randomised subjects. I. group of 18
patents received only infrared laser therapy to lumbar region and painful Valley points. II. group of
18 subjects each received underwater traction therapy of lumbar spine with add-on McKenzie
exercise and iontophoresis. The remaining III. group treated with exercise and iontophoresis, served
as control.
VAS, Oswestry index, SF36 scores, range of motion, neurological findings and thermography were
monitored to appraise therapeutic afficacy in lumbar discopathy. A CT or MRI scan was done at
baseline and after 3 months follow-up.
Result:Infrared laser therapy and underwater traction for discopathy achieved significant
improvement of all study parameters, which was evident 3 months later. Among the controls,
significant improvement of only a single parameter was seen in patients with lumbar discopathy.
Conclusions: Infrared laser therapy and underwater traction treatment effectively mitigate pain,
muscle spasms, enhance joint flexibility, and improve the quality of life of patients with lumbar
discopathy.
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