Objective To study the mechanical characteristics of lumbar vertebral manipulation by lifting-rotating and oblique-pulling using multi-film pressure measurement system. Methods Twenty-one male operators were divided into groups of experts, skilled operators and beginners. Everyone completed 7 actions of Lin’s lumbar manipulation continuously, and repeated 3 times. The graphs and data were collected and processed. Results The time-force curve by the experts had regularity. The average pre-load force was (147.25±26.04) N, duration was (0.98±0.20) s, the average minimum force was (79.22±9.50) N, the maximum impact force was (706.26±56.21) N, the flip time was (0.44±0.09) s, and flip speed was (1 666.33±411.91) N/s, the impulse was (310.95±56.67) N·s. The curve graphs and the index by the skilled operators were similar to those by the experts, but the average maximum impact force was (464.51±53.49) N, which was relatively smaller. The curve graphs by the beginners could be broadly divided into three categories. Class Ⅰ was chaotic and unregulated; Class Ⅱ only had impact force and did not have pre-load force, and the maximum impact force varied in size; Class Ⅲ had both impact force and pre-load force, but the forces were relatively small and stable. Conclusions The multi-film pressure measurement system can preferably display the mechanical characteristics of manipulation by lifting-rotating and oblique-pulling, which is an ideal testing tool for quantitative research on mechanical parameters of Lin’s lumbar vertebral manipulation. The experimental results provide a scientific basis for visualization, quantification and standardization of the manipulation.