Abstract
Objective: To determine the effects of latissimus dorsi extensibility in chronic mechanical low back pain.
Methodology: This randomized control trial was conducted at department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital Gujrat, Pakistan from Sept 2016 to January 2017. The samples of 50 patients having mechanical low back pain were assigned to experimental and control group. Hot pack, segmental mobilization, back stretch and core stability exercise were given to control group while experimental group was given the same protocol but additional latissimus dorsi stretch. The duration of intervention was 6 weeks for 2 times per week. All were assessed through Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Goniometry and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) with 5 cutoff values before intervention and at the completion of 6 weeks program. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21.
Results: Out of 50 patients, 17 were males and 33 females. Mean age was 45±7.23 years (range 30-50). Between groups comparison showed significant improvement in experimental group as compared to control group after 6 weeks of intervention. After comparison between pre and post intervention of control and experimental groups, experimental group showed better results in improving pain (p=0.00) and reducing physical disability (p=0.000) as compared to the control group (pain intensity: p= 0.755 and physical disability: p=0.30).
Conclusion: Patients with chronic mechanical low back pain treated with stretching of back, mobilization along with general rehab protocol achieved reduction of pain as compared to those patients treated with all above protocol except stretching.

Key words: Latissimus dorsi, lumber mobilization, mechanical low back pain, stretching exercise.