Self-Myofascial Release as an Adjunct to Conventional Treatment for Sacroiliac Dysfunction in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients: A Series of Fifteen Cases

1. Postgraduate Student, Department of Physiotherapy, MM Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India. 2. Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, MM Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India. 3. Postgraduate Student, Department of Physiotherapy, MM Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India.

Abstract

Foam Rolling (FR) is a Self-Myofascial Release (SMR) technique in which individuals use a roller or similar device to apply controlled pressure to specific muscle groups. Recent research indicates that using foam rollers and related tools improves pain, Range Of Motion (ROM), recovery, and functional performance. But its role in sacroiliac dysfunction has not been reported. The present case series of 15 cases (10 Females, 5 Males) emphasises the effect of FR, in combination with conventional treatment, on pain and functional outcomes in patients with chronic Low Back Pain (LBP) associated with probable sacroiliac dysfunction. The results were recorded over two weeks, and the ability to maintain improvement at the fourth week was assessed. Fifteen patients (mean age 29.13 years) were assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). A foam roller was applied to the hamstring, iliopsoas, and quadratus lumborum for anterior (n=7), posterior (n=5), and upslip (n=3) dysfunction, respectively, along with conventional therapy. The findings demonstrate a mean reduction of 3.53 and 12.3 points in pain and functional status, respectively, measured using NPRS and ODI after two weeks of intervention. Also, the mean improvement in PPT was 1.78 from baseline to the 2^nd week of treatment. At the 4^th week, two cases, Case 7 and 8, showed an increase in pain with disability at follow-up.

Muscles, Pain perception, Physical functional performance, Range of motion