scholarly journals The Effects of Muscle Energy on Low Back Pain: A 3D Analysis of running biomechanics

Author(s):  
Alisa Drapeaux ◽  
Jon Hurdelbrink

Background: Muscle energy technique (MET) is asn osteopathic treatment technique that is utilized frequently in the clinical setting, yet the overall effectiveness is minimally supported within literature. MET is an osteopathic technique that involves an isometric contract relax technique intended to improve alignment and enhance neuromuscular education. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of MET on running kinetics on subjects with low back pain. Method: A quasi-experimental research design was implemented and subjects, all of whom either had a history of or currently experience low back pain, underwent pre-intervention data collection of: anthropometric measurements, medical history, dorsaVi 3D running analysis, and a musculoskeletal and neurological clinical exam. Subjects underwent 6 weeks of isolated lumbo-pelvic MET at a frequency of twice a week, and were instructed to avoid all other treatment. Post-intervention data collected included a clinical exam and another dorsaVI running analysis. Results: Data was analyzed including: pre and post-treatment initial peak acceleration, ground contact time, and ground reaction force. A paired t-test comparing pre and post mean kinetic changes demonstrated the following p values: initial peak acceleration p = .80, ground contact time p = .96, and ground reaction force p = .68. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that isolated MET treatment is not statistically significant for changing 3D kinetic running variable in subjects with low back pain. Clinical Implications: Recommend healthcare providers to use a multi-treatment approach for low back pain. Future research should include a control group and larger sample size.

Author(s):  
E. Fahmy ◽  
H. Shaker ◽  
W. Ragab ◽  
H. Helmy ◽  
M. Gaber

Abstract Background Mechanical low back pain (MLBP) is a major cause of illness and disability, especially in people of working age. People with chronic low back pain often experience anger, fear, anxiety, decrease in physical ability, and inadequacy of role fulfillment. Objective This study aimed to compare the efficacy of extension exercise program versus muscle energy technique in treating patients with chronic mechanical low back pain. Subjects and methods Forty patients complaining of chronic mechanical low back pain participated in the study. Patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups: group A which received spinal extension exercise program and group B which received muscle energy technique. Treatment sessions were given three times per week for four successive weeks. Patients were assessed before and after treatment using visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and digital goniometer to assess pain intensity, functional disability, and range of motion (ROM) of lumbar spine respectively. Results There was significant decrease in the scores of pain and functional disability in both groups post-treatment especially in group B. There was significant increase in lumbar range of motion in both groups post-treatment, especially in group A. Conclusion Extension exercise program had better effect on improving lumbar range of motion, whereas muscle energy technique was better in decreasing pain and functional disability in patients with chronic mechanical low back pain.


Author(s):  
Helge Franke ◽  
Gary Fryer ◽  
Raymond WJG Ostelo ◽  
Steven J Kamper

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Usman Abba Ahmed ◽  
SONILL Sooknunan Maharaj ◽  
Nadasan Thaya ◽  
Bashir Kaka ◽  
Ashiyat Kahinde Akodu

Abstract Objective: The relevance and use of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) as a mode of treatment for Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) over the last two decades has increased among physiotherapists and other health professionals. This supports the clinical relevance and efficacy of this technique. However, there are no studies to determine the level of MET knowledge among Nigerian physiotherapists. This study was designed to determine the MET knowledge among Nigerian physiotherapists.Method: A total of one hundred and twenty physiotherapists were recruited from the database of the Nigerian Society of Physiotherapy and participated in the study. They completed a semi-structured questionnaire containing 46-items. This was divided into four sections which sourced information on sociodemographic characteristics, work-profile, treatment activities and the knowledge of MET for the management of NSLBP. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics for mean, frequency and percentages. Inferential statistics of Chi-square, Pearson Correlation, independent t-test and ANOVA were used to determine the significant difference with significance set at p<0.05.Result: The study revealed that 16.7% of the participants had knowledge of the application of MET in the management for NSLBP. Age, educational level, practice setting, area of specialization such as musculoskeletal therapy, ergonomics and additional training of low back pain (LBP) were factors that influenced respondents’ MET knowledge (p<0.05). However, gender, university of training, number of years of experience and the practice of managing of LBP in the physiotherapy department did not influence knowledge of MET for the management of NSLBP (p >0.05).Conclusion: This study showed that a small number of participants had knowledge of MET application in the management of NSLBP and certain factors influenced this knowledge. Keywords: Non-specific low back pain, Muscle Energy Technique, Physiotherapists knowledge, Nigeria


2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (9) ◽  
pp. 1705-1710 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nader Farahpour ◽  
AmirAli Jafarnezhad ◽  
Mohsen Damavandi ◽  
Abbas Bakhtiari ◽  
Paul Allard

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Burnett ◽  
Naira H. Campbell-Kyureghyan ◽  
Robert V. Topp ◽  
Peter M. Quesada

The effect of joint pathologies, such as unilateral knee osteoarthritis (UKOA) or low back pain (LBP), on bilateral gait symmetry has gained increased attention during the past decade. This study is the first to compare gait patterns between patients with UKOA and LBP in combination and with UKOA only. Temporal, kinematic, and kinetic variables were measured bilaterally during gait stance phase in 31 subjects with UKOA and LBP (Group I) and 11 subjects with only UKOA (Group II). Group I patients exhibited less hip rotation in the affected limb (A) than in the nonaffected (NA) limb during walking in contrast to Group II patients. Group I patients had minimal bilateral differences in hip abduction and flexion, but Group II patients displayed significantly larger values in the NA limb compared to the A limb for both parameters. Hip flexion patterns were significantly different between Groups I and II. Subjects in both groups adapted gait patterns that minimized vertical ground reaction force, knee flexion motion, and stance time on the UKOA affected limb. The distinct kinematic gait patterns that were revealed in this study may provide clinical value for assessment of patients with UKOA in conjunction with LBP.


Author(s):  
Farnaz Seify ◽  
Elahe Mamashli ◽  
AmirAli Jafarnejadgero ◽  
Mahrokh Dehghani ◽  
Mohsen Katanchi ◽  
...  

Background: Training of elastic walking is a new method for elasticity in gait and correction of the distribution pattern of plantar pressure in patients with low back pain during gait. This study aimed to investigate the distribution pattern of plantar pressure during gait in women with low back pain following 8 weeks-training of elastic walking. Methods: The present study was quasi-experimental. In this research, 20 women with low back pain were divided into control (n=11) and experimental (n=9) groups. Subjects from the experimental group performed elastic gait training for 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks while the control group didn’t have any exercise program. The plantar pressure variables included the peak of vertical ground reaction forces, the time to peak of ground reaction forces, loading rate, the peak of plantar pressure on the ten foot regions, the peak of ground reaction forces on the ten foot regions, and displacement of the pressure center in two internal-external (copx) and anterior-posterior (copy) lines. The distribution pattern of plantar pressure during gait was recorded by a foot scan system (Sampling rate 300 Hz) in pre-training and post-training. Two-way ANOVA was used to analyze the data. The significance level was set at P < 0.05. Results: In the experimental group, the results of this study demonstrated lower peak vertical reaction force (FzMS component) during post-test compared with pre-test (P = 0.002). Moreover, findings showed that the main effect of group on peak pressure in the mid-foot region was significant (P = 0.011). The results showed no significant difference concerning the main effect of group, the main effect of time and effect, interaction time and group on peak vertical reaction force, displacement of pressure center, vertical loading rate, and walking stance time (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that training of elastic walking does not have a significant effect on stance time. Also, training of elastic walking in the experimental group reduced the peak vertical ground reaction force (FzMS component) during the post-test compared with the pre-test that can correct the walking pattern and improve the chronic low back pain.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (44) ◽  
pp. 3284-3288
Author(s):  
Mitushi Kishor Deshmukh ◽  
Pratik Arun Phansopkar ◽  
Kiran Kumar

BACKGROUND Low back pain is a common condition in India. 90 % of Indian population experience low back pain at least once in their lifetime. Studies show that 98 % low back pain is because of mechanical disorder of spine. Piriformis tightness is one of the most misdiagnosed causes for low back pain or sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Various manual therapy approaches have been studied for reducing muscle tightness. We wanted to assess the effectiveness of muscle energy technique that is post-isometric relaxation technique on piriformis muscle tightness, its effectiveness in relieving low back pain with radiation, and increasing range of motion. METHODS 60 patients were included in the study as per inclusion and exclusion criteria from Ravi Nair Physiotherapy College, Sawangi Meghe, and were randomly assigned in to two groups. The duration of study was 12 days (6 sessions / week) and follow up was taken on 27th day. Subjects in muscle energy technique experimental group were treated with post isometric relaxation technique (PIR), subjects in control group were given simple passive stretching of piriformis. All subjects were educated about proper ergonomics. RESULTS Both interventions post isometric relaxation and simple stretching techniques were effective in terms of pain reduction, ROM (Range of Motion) improvement, piriformis tightness, disability with p < 0.05 with post isometric relaxation technique superseding simple stretching. Moreover, post isometric relaxation technique in muscle energy technique had sustained effects on follow-up in terms of relieving pain, disability and tightness for longer period of time. CONCLUSIONS Muscle energy technique gives immediate relief of pain improving ROM and decreasing tightness of piriformis and disability and has longer lasting effects. KEY WORDS Piriformis Tightness, Muscle Energy Technique, Stretching.


2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (01) ◽  
pp. 41-51
Author(s):  
Vivek Dineshbhai Patel ◽  
Charu Eapen ◽  
Zulfeequer Ceepee ◽  
Ramachandra Kamath

Background: Muscle energy technique (MET) and strain–counterstrain (SCS) technique are found to be effective as a sole treatment of acute low back pain (LBP), but the combined effect of these two techniques has not been evaluated. Objective: The purpose of this randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the added effect of SCS to MET in acute LBP patients. Methods: In this trial, 50 patients were randomly allocated to MET or MET-SCS group to receive the assigned two treatment sessions for two consecutive days. Oswestry disability index (ODI) and Roland Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ), visual analogue scale (VAS), lumbar range of motion (ROM) were recorded at baseline, after first and second session. Results: All the outcome measures showed statistically significant ([Formula: see text]) improvement in both the groups after second session. Between the groups, analysis showed no statistically significant difference ([Formula: see text]) after the first or second session. Conclusions: The improvement after second treatment sessions was noted in pain, ROM, and disability in both the groups, but immediate effect was seen only on pain intensity after first treatment session. When compared between the groups, no added effect of SCS to MET was found in reducing pain and disability and increasing lumbar ROM in acute LBP patients.


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