Mechanical Low Back Pain: An Integrated Manual Therapy Approach

Mechanical low back pain is one of the most common reasons for medical consultations and work-related disability worldwide. It is characterized by localized pain in the lumbar region, with a non-inflammatory and non-infectious origin, and is often related to postural imbalances, biomechanical overload, joint dysfunctions, and/or muscular imbalances. Although in most cases it is not associated with a serious structural pathology, the pain can become chronic if not properly addressed.

Manual therapy represents an effective therapeutic tool for the treatment of mechanical low back pain. Various techniques have been shown to reduce pain, improve mobility, and restore the functional balance of the musculoskeletal system. In particular, combining approaches such as kinesiology, global postural re-education (GPR), osteopathy, neurodynamics, and muscle chain work allows for a comprehensive and personalized intervention.

Applied kinesiology helps identify muscular imbalances and joint restrictions through specific muscle testing, facilitating the design of precise therapeutic strategies. GPR, for its part, focuses on correcting shortened muscle chains and postural compensations that contribute to low back pain, aiming to retrain muscle tone and actively increase flexibility in the muscles responsible for the imbalance.

Osteopathy offers a holistic approach that considers the interrelationships between the musculoskeletal and visceral systems. Through gentle and precise manual techniques, the therapist aims to release mobility restrictions in various body structures, improving lumbopelvic dynamics.

Neurodynamics, on the other hand, addresses possible restrictions in the mobility of the peripheral nervous system, which can cause radiating pain or mechanical hypersensitivity in cases of low back pain. Neurodynamic mobilizations aim to improve nerve gliding within their anatomical pathways, reducing neural irritability and enhancing sensory and motor function.

Muscle chain work, such as that proposed by methods like Busquet, helps identify tension patterns in the body that predispose individuals to low back pain. Intervening in these patterns not only alleviates lumbar symptoms but also acts preventively, reducing the risk of recurrence.

Together, these integrated manual therapies act not only on the painful symptom but also on the functional causes that perpetuate mechanical imbalance. Their personalized approach contributes to longer-lasting recovery, enhances the patient’s body awareness, and promotes autonomy in caring for their postural health.