Effect of Decompression Therapy Combined with Joint Mobilization on Patients with Lumbar Herniated Nucleus Pulposus

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of decompression therapy combined with joint mobilization on the pain and range of motion of patients with lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus. [Subjects] A total of 31 subjects were randomly assigned to an experimental group of 17 subjects and a control group of 14 subjects. [Methods] The experimental group received joint mobilization and decompression therapy, while the control group received thermotherapy, electrotherapy, and decompression therapy. Pain on visual analog scale (VAS) and the ranges of motion of flexion, extension, and lateroflexion were measured in both groups before the treatment and after the four weeks of treatment. [Results] Comparison of visual analog scale scores and the ranges of motion before and after treatment showed greater statistically significant differences in the experimental group than in the control group. [Conclusion] Decompression therapy combined with joint mobilization was effective as an intervention method for relieving pain and increasing the range of motion of the lumbar spine in patients with lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus.