INSTRUMENT ASSISSTED RELEASE OF QUADRATUS LUMBORUM ON PELVIC POSTURE AND ILIOPSOAS MUSCLE LENGTH IN NON-SPECIFIC LBP: A DOUBLE BLINDED PLACEBO CONTROLLED TRIAL

Iliopsoas and quadratus lumborum (QL) muscles, which are anatomically connected, frequently get stiff and adopt the anterior pelvic tilt posture in persistent non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). Since iliopsoas is a deep muscle it cannot be directly targeted for release. Instrument assisted release (IASTM) has gained popularity due to less efforts exerted by the therapist’s hands. However, the literature determining the effects of IASTM is still emerging. To determine the effect of IASTM release of QL on length of iliopsoas & pelvic posture in NSLBP. Thirty-two participants with NSLBP received conventional physiotherapy treatment including IFT & UST. In addition experimental group received IASTM (n=16), whereas control group (n=16) received sham IASTM for 10 days (5 sessions).The primary outcomes were length of iliopsoas using diagnostic ultrasonography & Thomas test angle, pelvic posture, assessed pre and post intervention. There was significant increase (p=0.0001) in the length of iliopsoas, decrease in the degree of Thomas test and angle of anterior pelvic tilt in experimental group when compared to control group.