The goal of this clinical study is to determine if manual therapy can improve lumbar mobility in healthy individuals. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Is there an immediate local spinal effect? * Is there an associated distal effect? Researchers will compare an experimental group and a control group to examine the effects.
Upon consent, participants will be assessed for lumbar spine mobility using inclinometers, hamstring flexibility using the active knee extension test and the modified sit-and-reach test, and ease of lifting a small, weighted object. After baseline measures are recorded, the participants will receive an intervention that will be either therapeutic (myofascial release) or sham (non-therapeutic hand placement). The choice of intervention received will be previously determined through the use of randomization software. The intervention provided will be applied to the low back and last for a total of 10 minutes. Immediately following the intervention, participants will again be assessed for lumbar spine mobility, hamstring flexibility, and ease of lifting a small, weighted object as noted above.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
40
Myofascial release is a manual therapy technique commonly used by clinicians and bodyworkers to provide effects such as decreased pain, improvement in flexibility, ROM, and quality of life. It combines non-gliding fascial traction with varying amounts of stretching to produce a tensional force on the muscle and its associated fascia resulting in viscoelastic lengthening and deformation.
The sham treatment of light touch will be applied to the lumbar spine and this form of contact is not therapeutic. It is only meant to only mimic a manual therapy technique.
NYIT
Old Westbury, New York, United States
Lumbar Range of Motion
Upon arrival, the participant will be greeted and directed to the research room. The participant will be instructed to stand comfortably with their feet shoulder width apart, followed by one inclinometer placed at the level of S2 and the other 15cm above S2 by the designated researcher. The placement of the inclinometers is necessary to establish proper measurement of the lumbar spine, independent of outside influence. Inclinometers are valid and reliable tools for measuring lumbar ROM. Lumbar flexion will be measured first, followed by lateral flexion to the left and right. Lumbar ROM will be measured before and after each treatment.
Time frame: 3 minutes
Modified Sit and Reach test
The modified sit and reach test is a valid and reliable tool for assessing hamstring flexibility. This assessment will be implemented by the designated researcher. The modified sit and reach test will be administered before and after each treatment.
Time frame: 3 minutes
Active Knee Extension test
The test is performed supine with the tested leg bent to 90° of supported hip flexion. The participant will be asked to actively extend his or her knee as fully as possible. Any lag from full extension will be measured with a standard goniometer. This test is a valid and reliable tool for hamstring length assessment. An extension lag of greater than 20° indicates a lack of hamstring flexibility. This will be performed on both lower extremities before and after each treatment.
Time frame: 3 minutes
Functional Movement Assessment
Each participant will be asked to perform a low-level functional activity (picking up a light-weight object) to help identify any perceived change in ability following the intervention.
Time frame: 1 minute
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