Effect of Muscle Energy Technique Over Hip Flexors on Pain, Lumbar Range of Motion and Disability in Subjects with Mechanical Low Back Pain
Abstract: Background: Mechanical low back pain (MLBP) is a common musculoskeletal condition associated with pain, restricted spinal mobility, and functional disability. Hip flexor tightness, particularly involving the iliopsoas, may alter lumbopelvic mechanics and contribute to anterior pelvic tilt and increased lumbar loading. Muscle Energy Technique (MET) uses controlled voluntary muscle contraction followed by relaxation and stretching, and may help improve muscle extensibility and movement. Aim: To determine the effect of MET over the hip flexors on pain, lumbar range of motion, and disability among subjects with mechanical low back pain. Methodology: An experimental study was conducted among 40 male subjects aged 25?45 years with non-specific mechanical low back pain and BMI of 25?30. Participants received MET over the hip flexors along with conventional physiotherapy for four weeks, five sessions per week. Pain was assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) at rest and during activity, lumbar range of motion using the Modified Schober's test with an inch tape, and disability using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Pre- and post-intervention scores were analysed using a paired-samples t-test. Results: Following four weeks, mean NPRS-rest decreased from 4.18 ± 1.06 to 2.53 ± 0.64 (t = -13.56, p = 0.001), and NPRS-activity decreased from 6.60 ± 1.01 to 4.05 ± 0.88 (t = -29.20, p = 0.001). Lumbar flexion scores increased from 4.62 ± 0.49 to 6.09 ± 0.45 (t = 20.28, p = 0.001), while extension scores increased from 2.07 ± 0.29 to 3.17 ± 0.27 (t = 28.65, p = 0.001). ODI scores decreased from 37.50 ± 5.78 to 22.15 ± 5.96 (t = -20.04, p = 0.001). Conclusion: MET applied to the hip flexors in combination with conventional physiotherapy was associated with significant improvement in pain, lumbar range of motion, and functional disability in the studied subjects.
Keywords: Mechanical low back pain; Muscle Energy Technique; Hip flexors; Iliopsoas; Lumbar range of motion; Numeric Pain Rating Scale; Oswestry Disability Index
How to Cite?: Kondreddy Nithin, Dr. S. Raghava Krishna, Dr. C. Shanthi, Dr. K. Senthil Kumar, Dr. K. Madhavi, "Effect of Muscle Energy Technique Over Hip Flexors on Pain, Lumbar Range of Motion and Disability in Subjects with Mechanical Low Back Pain", Volume 15 Issue 11, November 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 300-303, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR261103165252, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR261103165252