INTRODUCTION: Disc protrusion (DP) is a degenerative spinal disorder. Lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion is one of the most common orthopedic injuries, leading to low back pain that radiates to the lower limbs. Physical exercise is the main element in the conservative treatment of low back pain. OBJECTIVE. Comparing the effects of the McKenzie method and core stabilization exercises on the rehabilitation of patients with lumbar DP. METHODS: We allocated sixty-nine patients with low back pain due to disc protrusion to the core group (CG), the McKenzie group (MG), or the core plus McKenzie group (CMG). All groups underwent three interventions per week for four weeks, totaling 12 sessions. We assessed pain intensity, hamstring flexibility, functional capacity, muscle strength, and lumbopelvic stability. RESULTS: All intervention groups significantly reduced pain intensity and functional disability, besides improving posterior muscle chain flexibility, quality of life, trunk muscle strength, and lumbopelvic stability (p < 0.05). For functional capacity, assessed through the SF-26 Questionnaire, as well as for posture holding time in the lumbopelvic stability tests, the CG and CMG significantly improved the results compared to the MG (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that both exercise methods were efficient in reducing pain and improving function in patients with low back pain due to disc protrusion. However, the groups that used stabilization exercises showed better results in activating lumbopelvic stabilizing muscles.

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