The effectiveness of radial shockwave therapy and spinal manipulative therapy on gluteus medius trigger points

M.Tech. (Chiropractic)Abstract: PURPOSE: Myofascial pain syndrome is a common cause of discomfort and disability worldwide with various forms of literature to substantiate it. Myofascial pain syndrome is a condition that is characterised by the presence of myofascial trigger points. These trigger points often refer pain to different areas of the body. Active gluteus medius trigger points for instance may refer pain to lower back and has frequently been misdiagnosed as non-specific lower back pain. Numerous treatment protocols have been applied by specialists and therapist to reduce the pain created by these trigger points and results show indifferent evidence and efficacy. Radial shockwave therapy is an alternative modality that is used to treat a variety of different musculoskeletal conditions. It is a non-invasive treatment and ideal for musculoskeletal conditions that have failed to respond to other conservative treatment protocols. The purpose of the study was to identify the effectiveness of radial shockwave therapy in combination with spinal manipulation on active gluteus trigger points and non-specific lower back pain. DESIGN: A total of forty participants were utilised for the research study and were randomly divided into two groups of twenty participants each. Group 1 received radial shockwave therapy on gluteus medius trigger points and spinal manipulative therapy on L4-S1 levels. Group 2 received detuned ultrasound on gluteus medius trigger points and spinal manipulative therapy on L4-S1 levels. A total of six treatment sessions were required over a three-week period MEASUREMENTS: Subjective data was collected by using a Visual Analogue Scale. Objective data was collected by using a hand-held pressure algometer on active gluteus medius trigger points. Data was collected on the first, fourth and seventh consultations. OUTCOMES: With regards to the subjective data readings, the results from the Visual Analogue scale from the intragroup analysis indicated that both groups improved over the treatment period, the radial shockwave group showed the greatest improvement (64,35%). The radial shockwave group and the detuned ultrasound groups yielded p-values of 0.00 and 0.00 respectively. The intergroup analysis showed a statistical significant difference..