Effects of Soft Ball Tissue Release Exercises on Low Back Pain Secondary to Tight Hip Muscles.

It is also suggested that low back pain patients tend to have trigger point or tight muscles, i.e. Gluteus Maximus, Gluteus Medius, iliopsoas and Quardatus Lumborum, on at least one side.After approval from the university ethical committee, 23 (male, female) were enrolled in this study. All patients who presented nonspecific low back pain were included on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Demographic data of the patients were collected. Oswestry low back disability index was used to evaluate the disability level of low back. Piriformis muscle tightness was diagnosed among low back pain patients using FAIR (Flexion, abduction, internal rotation) and Freiberg's test. The FAIR test was performed on the patient in, side lying position, with the hip flexed at 60º and the knee flexed at 90º. With the hip being stabilized, a single examiner will internally rotate and adduct the hip by applying downward pressure onto the knee. Freiberg's test was performed on the patient in the supine position with the thigh extended. The leg and thigh are passively internally rotated by the examiner. If pain is registered, the test is positive. The effects of soft ball tissue release exercises on low back pain secondary to tight hip muscles

Exercise program were given to patients with low back pain secondary to hip muscle tightness using soft balls, i.e. tennis balls plus core stability exercises. 3 days a week for four weeks.

The 11-point numeric scale ranges from '0' representing one pain extreme (e.g. "no pain") to '10' representing the other pain extreme (e.g. "pain as bad as you can imagine" or "worst pain imaginable").

the overall score range is between 0 and 50, 0 being no to little pain and discomfort while 50 being the severest degree of pain and disability with complete activity limitation. The score is sometimes expressed in percentage as well.

Inclusion Criteria: Age: 35-50 years Gender: Male and Female Low back pain for at least 12 weeks. Tight hip muscles (Priformis (FAIR test), TFL (Ober's test), Iliopsoas (Thomas test). Exclusion Criteria: Any anatomical or neurophysiological causes of disease (X-ray and examination by a medical doctor) of spine. Abnormal past histories of the spine, i.e. spondylitis, fracture, etc. Neurologic diseases. Functional restrictions on the upper and lower limbs. Disc prolapse Lumber Spinal stenosis L4-5 Spondylolysthesis Any abnormality at Sacroilliac joint (Faber,Pattricks,thigh thurst, ASIS distraction, Sacral compression test)

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