Mechanical Traction for Lumbar Radicular Pain: Supine or Prone? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the effects of mechanical lumbar traction either in the supine or in the prone position with conventional physical therapy (PT) in patients with chronic low back pain and lumbosacral nerve root involvement in terms of disability, pain, and mobility.

Design: Participants (N = 125) were randomly assigned to receive 15 sessions of PT with additional mechanical lumbar traction either in the supine position (supine traction group) or in the prone position (prone traction group) or only PT without traction (PT only group). Patients were assessed at baseline and at the end of the PT sessions in terms of disability, pain, and mobility.

Ankylosing Spondylitis and Balance.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that mainly affects axial joints and the changes in the vertebrae cause typical kyphotic posture. In patients with ankylosing spondylitis, the postural changes, including cervical flexion, decreased lumbar lordosis, posterior rotation of pelvis, hip extension, knee flexion, and plantar flexion of ankle along with kyphosis, may occur in the upcoming terms of the disease and may negatively affect balance. Joint and eye involvements; muscular, vestibular and proprioceptional changes can also affect balance.