Osteopathic Thrust and Muscle-energy Manipulations on Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Biomechanical Effects of Osteopathic Thrust and Muscle-energy Manipulations in Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction of Athletes or Runners

This study assesses the effect of manipulative techniques of thrust and muscle-energy over the sacroiliac joint on plantar foot support, weight distribution in the lower limbs and balance in amateur runners with sacroiliac dysfunction. participants will be randomly assigned to one of 3 manipulations (i.e., intervention): thrust, muscle-energy or placebo.

The thrust manipulation applies a high velocity and intensity push in a specified direction to correct the position or movement of the sacroiliac joint. The muscle-energy technique consists of the therapist correcting the sacroiliac joint while the participant is applying active resistance. For the placebo manipulation, participants will receive a false manipulation over the affected joint, without producing movement at the sacroiliac joint.

Participants and the assessor of pre-post-biomechanical measurements will be blinded to which manipulation the participant has been assigned to. The manipulation intervention will be performed by a separate physical therapist who is not involved with the biomechanical measurements.

The osteopathic manipulation type thrust is applied to solve the sacroiliac joint dysfunction. This technique applies a high velocity and intensity push in a specified direction to correct the dysfunction produced by a not correct position or movement of one joint.

The muscle-energy manipulation is applied to solve the sacroiliac joint dysfunction. This technique applies a movement with an intermittent resistance in a specified direction to correct the position or movement of one joint. The therapist applies the movement in the correct direction since he feels a limitation of movement. When he feels the limitation he requests to the participant pushing in the contrary direction without movement. After five or seven seconds the participant finishes the contraction and the therapist continues the correct movement since he feels once again the limitation, and he request to the participant contraction another five or seven seconds. The therapist request to the participant only three times, when he finish the three contraction and the therapy applies the last movement to correct direction the intervention finishes.

The therapist simulates a false technique. The therapist applies movement in the sacroiliac joint without dysfunction, he applies movement since ninety degrees of pelvic flexion, and he wait sixty seconds. Whit this placebo technique the sacroiliac joint with the dysfunction is not altered.

The baropodometry platform will measure the distribution of weight (%) across the foot (i.e., forefoot and rearfoot)

The baropodometry platform will measure the points of pressure across the foot with the aid of colorimetry (N/cm2)

Inclusion Criteria: Amateur runners who perform between 10-30 km per week) and present a sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Exclusion Criteria: Low back pain Vertebral bone pathology Radicular neurological condition Fracture or recent surgical intervention in the lumbosacral or pelvic region Anatomical short leg with a difference greater than 0.5 cm Pregnant Fear of manipulation technique