An investigation into the effects of a unilaterally applied lumbar mobilisation technique on peripheral sympathetic nervous system activity in the lower limbs.

Perry J Green A. Man Ther Dec 2008

Abstract
Physiotherapeutic management of lumbar disorders often utilises specific segmental joint mobilisation techniques; however, there is only limited evidence of any neurophysiological effects and much of this has focused on the cervical spine and upper limbs. This study used a unilaterally applied lumbar spinal mobilisation technique and explored its effects on the peripheral NS (SNS) of the lower limbs. 45 normal healthy males were assigned to one of three experimental groups (control, placebo or treatment.
A unilaterally applied P-A mobilisation to the left L4/5 zygopophyseal joint). SNS activity was determined by recording skin conductance (SC) obtained from lower limb electrodes.
Results indicated that there was a significant change in SC from baseline levels (13.5%) that was specific to the side treated for the treatment group during the intervention period (compared to placebo and control conditions). This study provides preliminary evidence that a unilaterally applied P-A mobilisation technique performed at a rate of 2 Hz, to the left L4/5 lumbar zygopophyseal joint results in side-specific peripheral SNS changes in the lower limbs.