The effectiveness of ischaemic compression and myofascial dry needling of the active trigger points in the quadratus lumborum muscle in the treatment of lower back pain

This study was conducted in order to determine the effectiveness of ischaemic compression and myofascial dry needling in the treatment of lower back pain due to an active trigger point in the quadratus lumborum muscle. It was also conducted in order to compare the effects of ischaemic compression to the effects of myofascial dry needling of an active trigger point to determine which of the two treatment protocols was superior. It was hypothesised that ischaemic compression and myofascial dry needling would have a positive outcome on the subjective and objective findings in patients with lower back pain. Participants were recruited into the study by the use of advertisements placed in local newspapers and at the University of Johannesburg’s Chiropractic Day Clinic. Thirty patients who conformed to the specified limitations and diagnostic criteria were accepted. These patients were randomly placed into two groups of fifteen patients each. Group one received ischaemic compression and group two received myofascial dry needling. Each patient received six treatments over a three week period, therefore two treatments per week. The subjective data, which was the patients lower back pain was assessed using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale. The objective data was obtained from the readings on the algometer, measuring the pressure threshold of trigger points. All the algometer readings were statistically analysed using repeated measures tests. These tests were conducted on a 95% confidence level (P