The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of An-ma manipulative
therapy at either the musculotendinous junction (MTJ) or the muscle belly (MB) on pain
relief and improvements in functional disability and range of motion (ROM) of the hip
joint in patients with chronic back pain.
Thirty-six women with chronic low back pain were recruited and randomly assigned
to the untreated control group (n=12), the MTJ group (n=12), or the MB group (n=12).
Two experimental groups (the MTJ and MB groups) received An-ma manipulative
therapy 2 times a week for four weeks. An-ma manipulative therapy was performed at
the MTJ of back muscles in the MTJ group and at the MB of back muscles in the MB
group. The level of back pain was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) and the
level of disability in activities of daily living was measured by Oswestry disability index
(ODI). Hip ROM (flexion, extension and abduction) was measured by digital goniometer.
The extent of decrease in VAS and ODI was greater than the control group in both
experimental groups, but no significant difference was observed between both
experimental groups. The extent of increase in hip extension ROM was greater than the
control group in both experimental groups. The extent of increase in hip abduction ROM
was greater than the control group only in the MTJ group. No significant difference was
observed in the extent of change in hip flexion ROM among three groups.
In conclusion, the results of this study showed that both manipulative techniques
were effective for relieving back pain and improving hip ROM having similar effects.