BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is a common complaint in the postnatal period. Physiotherapy has many techniques to apply for such cases. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of central postero-anterior (PA) lumbar mobilization on muscle activity in postpartum LBP. METHODS: Forty-five females with chronic LBP at least three months postnatal. Participants divided randomly and equally into three groups. Group A (study group) received PA lumbar mobilization plus traditional treatment which consisted of ultrasonic and infra-red. Group B (placebo group) received placebo mobilization plus traditional treatment. Group C (control group) received traditional treatment only. All patients received 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks. Pain intensity, functional disabilities and surface EMG for recording para spinal muscle activity were measured before and after intervention. Statistical analysis was done by ANOVA and paired t-test. RESULTS: Central PA mobilization showed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the average surface EMG activity of the erector spinae musculature compared with the other groups as well as improvement in functional ability and reduction in pain intensity. CONCLUSION: A central PA mobilization significantly reduced pain intensity and surface EMG activity of erector spinae musculature as well as improvement in functional ability in mechanical low back pain in postnatal females.

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