Background: Lumbar Joint Mobilization (LJM) applies rhythmic forces to lumbar joints to improve mechanics and pain. Recent evidence suggests potential benefits for somatosensory input and postural control, though direction-specific effects remain unclear. Objectives: To investigate short-term effects of LJM on standing stability and trunk control through pre-post intervention comparison. Design: Quasi-experimental study. Methods: Twenty-five participants were randomized to experimental (n=13) or control (n=12) groups. Single-leg balance was assessed using force platform measurement with eyes open/closed conditions. The experimental group received Maitland-technique LJM including spinal compression, lateral compression, transverse process mobilization, rotational oscillation, and traction. Balance parameters included medio-lateral standard deviation (ML-SD), anteroposterior standard deviation (AP-SD), sway area, and path length. Results: The experimental group demonstrated significant medio-lateral stability enhancement (64% ML-SD reduction, P =0.003) with significant group×time interaction (F=4.20, P=0.043, η²p=0.044). Sway area decreased by 67% and path length showed large effect size (d=1.19, P<0.001). Improvements occurred in both visual conditions without increased visual dependence (stable Romberg Quotient), indicating somatosensory-driven enhancement. Machine learning classification achieved near-perfect accuracy (AUC=1.000). Conclusion: LJM produces immediate, direction-specific improvements in lateral trunk control through enhanced somatosensory feedback. Larger trials with long-term follow-up are needed to confirm sustained benefits.

Background: Lumbar radiculopathy caused by disc herniation is frequently accompanied by pain, functional disability, and impairments in sensorimotor control, including reduced proprioception and altered motor control. Interventions that integrate neural and mechanical components may enhance rehabilitation outcomes beyond exercise alone. Objectives: To investigate the effects of manual therapy combined with neurodynamic exercise and motor control exercise (MTN) with motor control exercise alone (MCE) on lumbar proprioception, motor control, and functional disability in patients with lumbar radiculopathy. Design: Randomized, single-blind clinical trial. Methods: Thirty patients with lumbar radiculopathy due to L4–S1 disc herniation were randomly assigned to either the MTN group or the MCE group. Both groups participated in supervised interventions three times per week for six weeks. The MTN group received lumbar joint mobilization and slider-based neurodynamic mobilization integrated with motor control exercise, whereas the MCE group performed motor control exercise only. Lumbar proprioception was assessed using joint position error during trunk flexion and extension. Motor control was evaluated using pressure biofeedback–based abdominal drawing- in performance. Functional disability was assessed using the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index. Outcomes were measured at baseline and during follow-up. Results: Significant group-by-time effects were observed for lumbar joint position error, motor control outcomes, and functional disability. The MTN group demonstrated earlier and greater improvements across all outcome measures compared with the MCE group, whereas improvements in the MCE group were more gradual. Conclusion: Compared with motor control exercise alone, the addition of manual therapy and neurodynamic exercise resulted in superior improvements in lumbar proprioception, motor control, and functional disability. An integrated MTN approach may be an effective rehabilitation strategy for patients with lumbar radiculopathy.

Background: If the weakness of the knee muscles persists and there is pain at the same time, lumbar mobilization can be used. Objectives: This study investigated the immediate effect of lumbar joint mobilization on postural sway and knee pain in elite volleyball players. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twelve male elite volleyball players were recruited for this study. Lumbar joint mobilization was performed in all study subjects. Evaluation items were static and dynamic balance and knee pain change. All evaluations were made immediately after the intervention. Results: C90 area, trace length, and STD Y deviation in the open static balance were significantly decreased after intervention (P<.05). C90 area, trace length, Velocity, STD X deviation, and STD Y deviation in static balance with closed eyes decreased significantly after intervention (P<.05). In dynamic balance, the left and right side. COPs were significantly increased. Pain significantly decreased after intervention (P<.05). Conclusion: This study found that lumbar joint mobilization is an effective method for improving postural sway and knee pain in elite volleyball players.

Background: Surgery has been known as an inefficient approach to reduce back pain in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis; therefore, non-surgical treatments are necessary. However, there has been little research to analyze the effect of non-surgical treatments on lumbar spinal stenosis pain. Objective: To identify the effectiveness of 2 physiotherapeutic treatment approaches to relieve pain due to lumbar spinal stenosis. Design: Randomized controlled trial Methods: The participants were 36 lumbar spinal stenosis patients who were randomized in the joint mobilization group (JMG) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation group (TENSG). Joint mobilization (JM) was conducted at the posteroanterior joint in the spinous process of the lumbar spine with stenosis. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) was applied on the lumbar spine with stenosis at a high frequency and intensity. Results: Visual analog scale (VAS) pain score significantly decreased in both groups, and the VAS value decreased more after JMG than that after TENSG. The pain thresholds of both groups also significantly increased, and that of JMG increased more compared to TENSG. In both the groups, significant improvements in VAS and pain thresholds were found, and JMG showed better results than TENSG. Conclusions: JM and TENS showed significant relief in both pain threshold and painpain, and JM showed more advanced relief compared to TENS.