Influence of Active Release Technique, Myofascial Trigger Point Release and Stretching to Reduce Pain among Subjects with Piriformis Syndrome - A Pilot Study

Piriformis syndrome is myofascial dysfunction syndrome which causes pain not only because of trigger points within the muscle but also due to peripheral neuritis of sciatic nerve. In order to identify effective treatment ART, MFR and stretching is applied. The effectiveness of ART, MFR and stretching to reduce pain among subjects with piriformis syndrome was examined. Study design was quasi experimental study design with pre and post test evaluation.30 Subjects wih the age group of 20 to 30 years were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The subjects were randomly allocated into three groups by using concealed envelop method. The study was conducted at outpatient department of Vel’s School of physiotherapy. The study was done in 2 weeks of duration. Stretch group, MFR group and ART group shows after 2 weeks there were a significant reduction in VAS. ART group showed better result when it was compared with stretch group and MFR technique group. While this study revealed within group differences in VAS in all groups and between group differences in ART technique reveal positive effects of pain reduction and suggest that ART may offer a potential advantage of this mode over other groups.