Immediate effects of muscle energy technique (post isometric relaxation) and static stretching in improving lumbar range of motion and iliopsoas flexibility on iliopsoas muscle tightness

Abstract

Iliopsoas is a compound muscle which consists of the psoas major and iliacus. Shortening of the iliopsoas muscle was found to be the primary cause of lumbar hyper lordosis and excessive anterior pelvic tilt. iliopsoas is a muscle of lower extremity prone to tightness with prevelance of 83% in young and middle-aged adults leading to lower back pain. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to compare the effect of static stretching and muscle energy technique to improve lumbar range of motion and iliopsoas flexibility. Study design: A Research with experimental design was performed in 2 groups that were selected from collage in Navsari. Methodology: Immediate effect comparative study to evaluate the effectiveness of MET versus Static Stretching techniques for iliopsoas tightness. One group was given MET and other group was given Static Stretchig. Modified Thomas test and schobers test was taken for lumbar flexibility and lumbar range of motion in iliopsoas tightness subject.Result: The MET (Group A) was associated with a statistically significant change in Lumbar flexibility than Static Stretching (Group B). There was no statistically significant change observed Lumbar range of motion in both the groups. Conclusion: The present study concluded that both MET and Static Stretching technique are shown to have an effect on improving lumbar range of motion and lumbar flexibility. The MET technique was found clinically more effective in improving lumbar range of motion and lumbar flexibility in iliopsoas tightness muscle. However, there is no significant difference found in lumbar flexibility between both the groups MET and Static stretching groups.