Author(s): Sashin Lucien Palliam

Abstract:
Lower back pain (LBP) is a common condition in clinical medicine and one that individuals will experience sometime over their lifespan. This disorder has significant impact on a patient’s physical well-being. As one ages, the spine becomes delicate and susceptible to pain. LBP can cause, among others, decreased mobility, reduced flexibility and poor posture. The ability to lift, walk, stand and sit is affected. Consequently, pain disrupts the body functions and limits one’s ability to participate in sports and in routine physical activities of daily living. The diagnosis can be complicated since the pain may result from, among others, damage to the intervertebral discs, compression of nerve roots, improper movement of the spinal joints and the consequences of aging. This study aims to determine the effects of a programme of an eight-week hydrotherapy intervention on physical recovery in patients with non-specific LBP. The effects of hydrotherapy programme on balance, flexibility and muscle strength required for body movement were also considered. This is a case series study on patients who underwent an 8-week hydrotherapy programme for LBP. Ethical clearance was obtained from the University of KwaZulu-Natal Research Ethics Committee. Twenty participants aged 35 – 58 years were recruited from volunteers from selected Biokinetic practices in Gauteng. Patients who were confirmed as having non-specific LBP volunteered to participate in this study. A review of literature supports physical exercises as a prescription for patients with LBP. The finding of this study is that hydrotherapy posed no risks to participants afflicted with LBP. Accordingly, hydrotherapy was found to promote muscular strength, flexibility and aerobic fitness thus making hydrotherapy beneficial for rehabilitation of LBP. The important contribution of this study is the beneficial effects of hydrotherapy in the rehabilitation of patients with LBP and the improvement in functional capacity. Improved physical fitness and a sense of well-being were noted. There were significant improvements in muscle strength, agility and joint flexibility post-hydrotherapy-intervention. The improvement in fitness and ultimately functional capacity suggests the efficacy of hydrotherapy in the treatment of LBP should be researched more widely in clinical settings.

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