Authors : Dr. Pooja Chaudhuri; Jakir Hussain; Resme Ara Khanam; Mazida Begum; Gargi Baruah

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 5 - May

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/u3c3zvb3

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/5xhb797b

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26May1375

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Background of the Study: Low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions affecting quality of life, and can have negative implications of disability and absence from work. 80%of people experience low back pain in their lifetime, and the prevalence of LBP is lowest in the youngest individuals, tends to increase between 30 and 60 years of age and then becomes more stable.  Objective: To compare the effectiveness of Active Release Technique (ART) and Muscle Energy Technique (MET) in relieving pain intensity and functional disability in patients with non-specific low back pain.  Subjects and Methods: Thirty patients with non -specific low back pain participated in the study. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups: group A, which received the Active Release Technique for active trigger points in target muscles; and group B, which received the Muscle Energy Technique for active trigger points in target muscles. Treatment sessions were given twice a week for 3 weeks duration. Patients were assessed before and after treatment using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) to assess pain severity and functional disability.  Results: Results demonstrated that Group B (MET) showed greater improvement in NPRS and ODI scores compared with Group A (ART).  Conclusion: The Muscle Energy Technique group demonstrated greater improvement in pain and functional disability compared to the Active Release Technique group in individuals with non-specific low back pain.

Keywords : Muscle Energy Technique, Active Release Technique, NSLP.

References :

1. Andersson GBJ. Epidemiological features of chronic low-back pain. Lancet. 1999;354(9178):581–585.
2. Hoy D, Brooks P, Blyth F, Buchbinder R. The epidemiology of low back pain. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2010;24(6):769–781.
3. Airaksinen O, Brox JI, Cedraschi C, et al. European guidelines for the management of chronic nonspecific low back pain. Eur Spine J. 2006;15(Suppl 2):S192–S300.
4. Simons DG, Travell JG, Simons LS. Travell & Simons’ Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual. 2nd ed. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins; 1999.
5. Chaitow L, Crenshaw K. Muscle Energy Techniques. 4th ed. London: Churchill Livingstone; 2013.
6. Hammer WI. Functional Soft-Tissue Examination and Treatment by Manual Methods. 3rd ed. Sudbury (MA): Jones & Bartlett; 2007.
7. Leahy PM. Improved treatment of soft tissue injuries using active release techniques. Chiropr Sports Med. 1995;9(1):21–24.
8. Wilson E, Payton O, Donegan-Shoaf L, Dec K. Muscle energy technique in patients with acute low back pain: a pilot clinical trial. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2003;33(9):502–512.
9. Fryer G. Muscle energy technique: An evidence-informed approach. Int J Osteopath Med. 2011;14(1):3–9.
10. Fairbank JCT, Pynsent PB. The Oswestry Disability Index. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2000;25(22):2940–2953.
11. Franke H, Franke JD, Fryer G. Osteopathic manipulative treatment for non-specific low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2014;15:286.
12. Coulter ID, Crawford C, Hurwitz EL, Vernon H, Khorsan R, Booth MS, et al. Manipulation and mobilization for treating chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Spine J. 2018;18(5):866-79.
13. Leahy PM. Active Release Techniques Soft Tissue Management System: treatment manual. Colorado Springs: Active Release Techniques, LLC; 2008.
14. Hartvigsen J, Hancock MJ, Kongsted A, Louw Q, Ferreira ML, Genevay S, et al. What low back pain is and why we need to pay attention. Lancet. 2018;391(10137):2356-67.
15. Ajimsha MS, Daniel B, Chithra S. Effectiveness of myofascial release in the management of chronic low back pain in nursing professionals. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2014;18(2):273-81.