Effect of Talocrural Joint Thrust Manipulation on Mechanical Low Back Pain

The lower limb is made up of all the structures from feet to pelvic, forming a closed mechanical chain. In this chain if any one segment is out of its neutral position it affects the whole chain. Like, if a foot is out of its alignment can be flattened or highly pronated, it will results in ankle internal rotation i,e. during the early stance phase of gait When the foot pronates, the calcaneus everts while the talus adducts and the plantar flexes. This inferomedial translation of the talus, results in inward rotation of shin and knee. Knee internal rotation, then make femur to rotate medially (internally) and pelvic to tilt anteriorly. This increased tilting of pelvic increases the curvature of the lumbar spine. Excessive curve at lumbar spine places excessive strain on the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the lower back, causing them to inflame and resulting pain. This domino effect, explains how a misalignment in the foot end up negatively effecting the health of one's lower back and a source of non specific low back pain.Though the direct treatment of lumbar region is important for LBP,yet ankle strategy is needed in order to correct the spinal imbalance. This research proceeded with the thought of taking a whole approach i.e. treating the main cause, causing LBP rather than just applying specific approach i.e. giving only symptomatic treatment for pain alleviation. With this approch talocrural/ankle joint is being taken within physical therapy treatment sphere through manipulation technique along with conventional physical therapy protocol for LBP in the current study.