Effect of muscle energy technique with and without strain-counterstrain technique in acute low back pain-A randomized clinical trial

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 (p<0.05) improvement in both the groups after second session. Between the groups, analysis showed no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) 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.