EFFECT OF MUSCLE ENERGY TECHNIQUE (MET) VERSUS BOWEN TECHNIQUE ON PAIN AND DISABILITY IN YOUNG ADULTS WITH ACUTE UNILATERAL TRAPEZITIS.

: Background : Trapezitis is an inflammation of the trapezius muscle caused due to stress, tension, repetitive movements, bad posture, etc. causing severe muscle spasm and pain. According to a study, neck pain mean lifetime prevalence is of 67% to 87%. The Bowen Technique is a hands-on-therapy developed by Thomas Ambrose Bowen. This technique works on the soft connective tissues (fascia) of the body and resets and balances the autonomic nervous system and stimulates several intrafascial mechanoreceptors that affect muscle tonus and increase vagal tone. It can be used to treat several musculoskeletal or related neurological problems. Muscle Energy Technique is a type of osteopathic manipulation method that uses patient initiated voluntary muscle contraction of different intensities, in a precise direction and against a counterforce. It is used to improve musculoskeletal function, joint function, and improving pain. Objective: 1. Aims to find the effect of Muscle Energy Technique on pain assessed using Visual Analogue Scale in young adults with acute unilateral trapezitis. 2. Aims to find the effect of Muscle Energy Technique on disability assessed using Neck Disability Index in young adults with acute unilateral trapezitis. 3. Aims to find the effect of Bowen Technique on pain assessed using Visual Analogue Scale in young adults with acute unilateral trapezitis. 4. Aims to find the effect of Bowen Technique on disability assessed using Neck Disability Index in young adults with acute unilateral trapezitis. 5. Aims to compare the effect of Muscle Energy Technique Versus Bowen Technique on pain and disability assessed using Visual Analogue Scale and Neck Disability Index respectively in young adults with acute unilateral trapezitis. Method: Study begun with the presentation of synopsis to an ethical committee in PES MCOP. An approval was granted from the ethical committee. 60 subjects were selected on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Pre-treatment Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores were taken. 60 subjects were divided into two groups. On the basis of arrival of the subjects, all even numbers were allotted to Group-A – Muscle Energy Technique and all odd numbers were allotted to Group-B – Bowen Technique. Each group received 6 sessions (on alternate days) of the respective technique over 2 weeks. Post-treatment NDI and VAS scores were taken. Data was entered and statistically analyzed. Results : Statistical analysis of the pre and post treatment scores of NDI and VAS values of Group A and Group B revealed that there was significant effect of both the techniques but on comparing post treatment VAS & NDI scores of both the groups, subjects treated by Bowen Technique (Group B) showed more improvement than subjects treated with Muscle Energy Technique (Group A). Conclusion: This study concluded that Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and Bowen Technique both are effective on neck pain and neck disability, but on comparing, Bowen Technique (Group B ) has proved to be more effective than MET (Group A) in young adults in treating acute unilateral trapezitis.