The flexibility of the hamstrings is a very important component both for general health and when exercising. The lack of hamstring flexibility has been related to the increase in the likelihood of suffering a large number of musculoskeletal pathologies, due to the possibility of causing important muscle imbalances, which include lumbar spine pathologies, such as disc hernias or spondyloarthrosis. In addition, the decrease in the flexibility of the hamstring musculature is also related to the increased likelihood of suffering muscle strains, patellar tendon tendinopathies, femoropatellar syndrome and decreased lumbopelvic rhythm. Clinically, an invasive technique has appeared, known as Ultrasound-guided Percutaneous Neuromodulation (PNM). This minimally invasive intervention consists in the application of a percutaneous electrical stimulation (PES) through an acupuncture needle-like electrode that is placed in close proximity to the nerve or motor point of the muscle with ultrasound guidance. At the clinical level, the PES is always used with the therapeutic aim of relieving chronic pain and neuropathic pain. Similarly, in sports, PES is used with the aim of improving muscular activity. Therefore, according to the characteristics and the therapeutic benefits of this technique, further research is needed to discover multiple clinical indications. The aim of this study was to examine the effects on flexibility and strength of an ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation intervention in patients with shortening of the hamstring muscles.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
40
It's a new intervention of sport physiotherapy. It´s an invasive technique. It is necessary an ultrasound
Same protocol without electricity
Physical Therapy Department. University of Murcia
Murcia, Spain
Change from Passive Knee Extension 90º [PKE 90º] [Hamstring Flexibility test] 5 minutes after intervention
Passive Knee Extension with hip 90º. The examiner will measure the popliteal angle (between the femur and the tibia) with a goniometer.
Time frame: Baseline and 5 minutes after intervention
Change from Sit and Reach Flexibility Test [Hamstring Flexibility test] 5 minutes after intervention
The sit and reach test is a common measure of flexibility of the lower back and hamstring muscles. Using a standard sit and reach box, the participant sat on the floor with shoes on, and fully extended one leg so that the sole of the foot was flat against the end of the box. She then extended her arms forward, placing one hand on top of the other. With palms down, she reached forward sling hands along the measuring scale as far as possible without bending the knee of the extended leg.
Time frame: Baseline and 5 minutes after intervention
Change from Stand and Reach Flexibility Test [Hamstring Flexibility test] 5 minutes after intervention
The volunteer standing with his knees extended tries to touch the ground with his extended hands. The examiner will measure with a ruler the distance in centimeters between the floor and the tips of fingers.
Time frame: Baseline and 5 minutes after intervention
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