Abstract
Background: Spine shape parameters, such as leg length and kyphotic or lordotic angle, are influenced by low back pain. There is also evidence that the thoracolumbar fascia plays a role in such pathologies. This study examined the immediate effects of a myofascial release (MFR) technique on the thoracolumbar fascia and of an osteopathic treatment (OMT) on postural parameters in patients with acute low back pain (aLBP). Methods: This study was a single-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. Seventy-one subjects (43.8 ± 10.5 years) suffering from aLBP were randomly and blindedly assigned to three groups to be treated with MFR, OMT, or a placebo intervention. Spinal shape parameters (functional leg length discrepancy (fLLD), kyphotic angle, and lordotic angle) were measured before and after the intervention using video raster stereography. Results: Within the MFR group, fLLD reduced by 5.2 mm, p < 0.001 and kyphotic angle by 8.2 degrees, p < 0.001. Within the OMT group, fLLD reduced by 4.5 mm, p < 0.001, and kyphotic angle by 8.4°, p = 0.007. Conclusion: MFR and OMT have an influence on fLLD and the kyphotic angle in aLBP patients. The interventions could have a regulating effect on the impaired neuromotor control of the lumbar muscles.
Highlights
The pain is likely triggered by nociceptors in the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) [2]
For the Functional leg length discrepancies (fLLD), the authors gave an ICC = 0.84; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.73–0.90 and for the smallest detectable change (SDC) 4.21 mm, for the kyphotic angle an ICC = 0.96; 90% CI 0.92–0.97 and a SDC of 3.19◦, for the lordotic angle an ICC = 0.91; 90% CI 0.83–0.94 and a SDC of 4.24◦
This study examined the immediate effects of myofascial release (MFR) on the TLF and of individual
Summary
The current medical assumption is that the cure rate of aLBP is 90% within six weeks and only 2–7% become chronic [3] This time period is based on measuring the time between the doctor’s visit and return to work and does not describe the actual duration of pain [4]. Pengel et al put the recurrence rate with renewed disability at 33% of the aLBP cases [6], making it a critical cost and resource factor in health care systems in industrialized countries [7] Spine shape parameters, such as leg length and kyphotic or lordotic angle, are influenced by low back pain. This study examined the immediate effects of a myofascial release (MFR) technique on the thoracolumbar fascia and of an osteopathic treatment (OMT) on postural parameters in patients with acute low back pain (aLBP). The interventions could have a regulating effect on the impaired neuromotor control of the lumbar muscles
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