Therapeutic Considerations and Recovery in Low Back Pain: Williams vs McKenzie

Abstract

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common muskuloscheletal disorders. It is associated with high costs in medical assistance and indirect losses through temporary work incapacity. Therefore, it represents a challenge for medical practice.There are many types of treatments and recommendations depending on doctors' knowledge and opinions, but two protocols stand out due to their -popularity‖: the Williams and McKenzie protocols. Given the duration of flares and relapses rate, it is important to apply an efficient and lasting treatment. This is why the aim of the present study is to compare these two protocols, McKenzie and Williams, in terms of principles and exercises, in order to reveal wich one is more suitable in LBP recovery. In the end, the McKenzie protocol proved to be superior to the Williams program in terms of pain relief, lumbar mobility and number of sessions needed to recover. Another finding was that the two programs are not totally contradictory, but they are just applied in different stages of the LBP syndrome, depending on several anatomical and pathological factors.

Changes of Work Condition and the Mc Kenzie Ergonomic Intervention Could Decrease of Musculoskeletal Disorder and Work Fatigue Among “Dodol” Industry Workers With Low Back Pain

“…Mckenzie exercise was one of back exercises proven could changing posture and decrease of musculoskeletal disorders, also increasing mobility of spine while work. Meanwhile, operationally, aims of give this exercise were to stretch back muscle (extensor muscle) and this exercise prioritize extension movement to have strength and stretch muscle along extensor and lumbosacral joint, resulting reduce of pain (Moldovan, 2012). Stretching muscle to resting length and had circulation optimal to the brain made this condition decrease of work fatigue.…”

The Effects of Combining Core Stability with Stretching Exercises on Pain Intensity and Motor Function in People with Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain with and without Hyperlordosis

“…In order to use the most effective type of motor exercise, studies have shown that Mackenzie extension exercises could be effective in relieving pain, improving lumbar spine mobility, accelerating the return to daily activity, and minimizing referrals to medical centers and the number of treatment sessions for patients. Williams et al also reported that lumbar lordosis was improved by using flexion exercises which had a significant effect on increasing the strength and endurance of the abdominal muscles, as well as reducing lumbar pain (5). On the one hand, researchers showed that more than 90% of patients improved after 6 months of participating in hydrotherapy program, and according to this report, hydrotherapy is an efficient treatment for patients with low back pain (6).…”

“…Combined Stretching -Core Stability Exercises. These exercises include two parts: core stability exercises for strengthening the abdominal weak muscles and stretching exercises for eliminating muscle shortness in the lumbar and pelvic sets as follows (5):…”

“…Numerous treatments such as rest, exercise therapy, traction, osteopathic therapy, manipulation therapy, massage, mobilization, and electrotherapy have been reported to treat low back pain. However, there is still no general consensus on which method is more effective in treating low back pain (5).…”

Meta-Analysis the Effectiveness of McKenzie Exercise to Reduce Pain in Patients with Non-Specific Low Back Pain

“…The smooth circulation of the blood can be followed by reduced muscle spasm, which relaxes the muscles and activates the release of the endorphin system in the blood which results in less pain. This is reinforced by Moldovan (2013), which states that McKenzie Exercise is more effective than Williams Flexion in reducing low back pain. This is because the principle of McKenzie's exercise is to improve posture to reduce lumbar hyperlordosis.…”