Effect of Muscle Energy Techniques on Functional Abilities in Patients With Discogenic Unilateral Sciatica
Condition: Sciatica; Low Back Pain
MeSH terms: Sciatica; Low Back Pain
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The purpose of the study to investigate the effect of muscle energy techniques on functional
      abilities of patients with chronic discogenic unilateral sciatica and to explain it from a
      physiological and functional point of view
    

Detailed description: 
      Disability and emotional distress among patients with lumbar spondylosis has a negative
      impact on well-being. Anxiety and depression are common emotional problems among patients
      with LBP.

      The experience of pain interferes with different aspects of the patient's life, negatively
      affecting their daily activities, physical and mental health, family and social
      relationships, and their interactions in the workplace.

      This problem also affects the health care system and what is known as economic well-being,
      the strong burden associated with Chronic Pain not only deriving from healthcare costs but
      also from the loss of productivity and from compensatory payments to patients as a result of
      the disability that pain produces.

      Movement research has vast implications for muscle energy techniques for individuals with
      chronic low back pain and sciatica, the thoracolumbar normal range of motion plays an
      essential role in transferring the body weight and performing daily activities. Poor spinal
      range of motion and tightness of paraspinal muscles have previously been noted in individuals
      with chronic low back pain and sciatica.

      Most of the previous studies focused on dealing with chronic low back pain and sciatica
      through using different medications and physical therapy modalities for the symptoms such as
      TENS. Since muscle energy techniques can decrease the tension of the muscles of the lumbar
      spine and gives a real chance to improve the flexibility of those muscles which might inhibit
      the severity of sciatica with low costs so it's recommended to study its effect on the
      functional abilities of the patients so that it can be the main part of physical therapy
      rehabilitation protocol.
    

Intervention name(s): Conventional program; Muscle energy technique
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): All the participants will receive the conventional physical therapy protocol per session as following: Infrared radiation on the low back area for 15 minutes, Ultrasound waves (Digi sonic device) for 10 minutes on the trigger areas of the low back, Myofascial release of the thoracolumbar fascia, Stretching of the Paraspinal muscles and the hamstrings, Mobilization of the lumbar and thoracic spine from a prone lying position and strengthening of abdominal muscles, multifidus and transversal's abdominal muscle.; The patient was in the lateral recumbent position on the side opposite to his, her side-bending dysfunction while the physiotherapist stood facing the subject. The physiotherapist monitored the lumbar area with one hand while with the other hand flexed the subject's knees and hips until the barrier was engaged at the vertebral segment being treated.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment