Short term effect of percussive therapy on non specific low back pain in individuals with long standing hours

Low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems worldwide, affecting people across all ages and occupations. It is often described as discomfort or pain in the lower back region, sometimes radiating into the hips or legs, and can range from mild stiffness to severe, disabling pain. This type of pain, which makes up nearly 80–90% of all back pain cases, does not have one clear structural cause. Instead, it occurs through multiple factors such as biological, psychological, and lifestyle factors. Studies suggest that nearly 40% of adults will experience low back pain at some point, with the burden increasing as people age. For many it can disrupt work, sleep, and quality of life. Studies show that up to 80–85% of adults will experience low back pain at some point in their lives, making it one of the leading causes of disability, healthcare visits, and work absenteeism. Importantly, much of this pain is categorized as nonspecific or mechanical in nature arising not from a single identifiable injury, but from a combination of physical stress, posture, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors

Prolonged standing plays a significant role, as it leads to static muscle contractions that fatigue the lower back muscles and strain the spinal structures. Over time, this constant low-level stress may contribute to tissue damage, postural discomfort, and recurring episodes of pain. In addition, other risk factors such as being overweight, aging, poor posture, and lack of physical fitness further increase the likelihood of developing back pain. Studies also point to psychosocial stress, shift work, and even lack of sleep as contributing factors, making low back pain not just a physical problem but a holistic occupational health issue

What makes this problem particularly concerning is its impact on quality of life. A study exploring mechanical low back pain in security guards found a clear link between pain and reduced quality of life, including physical, social, and psychological well-being. Security guards with higher pain scores reported greater difficulty performing daily tasks, lower satisfaction in social life, and overall diminished health perception. These findings highlight the need for preventive strategies such as ergonomic training, regular exercise, scheduled breaks, and workplace modifications to reduce the burden of prolonged standing. Addressing low back pain in this workforce is not only essential for the health of individual guards but also for maintaining productivity and reducing absenteeism.

One such emerging approach is the use of percussive massage devices such as the Massager gun designed to deliver targeted mechanical vibration and pressure to muscles, these devices help in improving circulation, reducing muscle stiffness, and alleviating pain. The massager gun has gained increasing attention as a physiotherapeutic tool, particularly for its role in reducing muscle soreness and facilitating recovery after physical exertion. Recent studies highlight its effectiveness not only in occupational groups with chronic LBP but also as part of holistic ergonomic interventions. Ergonomic advice paired with percussive therapy has been shown to enhance outcomes by addressing both the mechanical and lifestyle contributors to back pain. While pharmacological management remains common, the appeal of massager gun and similar devices lies in their non-invasive, user-friendly, and relatively safe profile, making them particularly relevant for populations seeking alternatives to medication.

Low back pain is one of the most common health problems across the world, and it is particularly concerning when it becomes associated to work demands. For many individuals, it is not just a physical discomfort but a condition that interferes with sleep, mobility, and even emotional well-being. Among occupational groups, security guards are a population at special risk. Their daily routine often involves prolonged standing, static postures, and minimal opportunities for rest. Studies have shown that almost half of security guards report low back pain, and this pain often interferes with essential functions like standing, walking, and traveling, making even routine activities challenging.

Non-specific low back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide. It contributes to millions of lost workdays, decreased work productivity, and high healthcare costs. Musculoskeletal disorders arising from occupational stress and prolonged working hours undermine not only individual health but also organizational productivity. Despite numerous therapeutic strategies, many still provide only modest or short-lived relief

Conventional treatments for low back pain, such as exercise therapy, manual therapy, or ergonomic modifications, though effective in the long term, often require consistent practice and may not provide immediate relief. For workers like security guards whose job does not allow long breaks or extended rehabilitation periods, quick and effective solutions become crucial. This is where percussive therapy, such as the use of a massager gun has shown considerable effects by delivering rapid mechanical pulses to the muscles. Percussive therapy helps relieve tightness, improve circulation, and reduce pain within minutes. Evidence from similar occupational groups, such as janitors with postural pain, shows that percussive massage therapy can significantly decrease pain and improve range of motion immediately after treatment.

·       STUDY DESIGN: Quasi experimental study

·       STUDY SETTING: Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Physiotherapy

·       SAMPLE POPULATION: Individual with long standing hours

·       SAMPLING METHOD: Convenience sampling

·       SAMPLE SIZE: 42

·       MATERIALS:

Consent form

Massager gun

Numeric pain rating scale

Oswestry disability index

Quality of life scale

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Individuals with prolonged standing hours

Age 25-44 years

Both males and females are included

Individuals with non-specific low back pain.

Individuals having NPRS above 5.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Indivduals diagnosed with spinal degenerative diseases.

Any recent spinal injuries.

Recent use of medications like analgesics and muscle relaxants.

numeric pain scale

The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a simple self-report tool that allows patients to describe the intensity of their pain on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates “no pain” and 10 reflects the “worst pain imaginable.” It is widely used in musculoskeletal and low back pain research because of its ease of use, sensitivity to change, and clinical relevance. Research has shown that in people with low back pain, a reduction of about two points on this scale is considered a meaningful improvement, reflecting real change beyond measurement error

OSWESTRY DISABLITY INDEX

The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is a questionnaire designed to measure the degree of functional limitation caused by low back pain. It explores how pain interferes with everyday activities such as sitting, standing, lifting, walking, sleeping, and social life. The results are typically expressed as a percentage, with higher percentages indicating greater disability. This tool is widely accepted as a gold standard for assessing disability in low back pain and has been validated across many clinical contexts

THE QUALITY OF LIFE SCALE

A study examined how low back pain affects the quality of life in working adults using the WHOQOL-BREF scale. The research found that people with chronic or persistent back pain reported significantly lower scores in physical, psychological, and social well-being . The pain not only limited their mobility but also affected sleep, emotional health, and daily activities. Many participants expressed that ongoing pain made them less confident and reduced their work performance. The study highlighted that managing low back pain effectively can greatly improve overall quality of life. It also emphasized the importance of early interventions and lifestyle adjustments to prevent long-term disability and emotional distress

Massager gun is a handheld percussive therapy device designed to deliver rapid, rhythmic mechanical impulses to soft tissues such as muscles and fascia. It is commonly used in physiotherapy and sports rehabilitation to manage musculoskeletal pain, muscle tightness, and post-exercise soreness. In individuals with non-specific low back pain, especially those exposed to prolonged standing or long working hours, Massager gun is applied over the lumbar paraspinal muscles to reduce muscle stiffness and discomfort.

The physiological effects of massager gun include reduction in muscle stiffness, increased local blood circulation, improved soft tissue mobility, and pain modulation. The rapid percussive impulses stimulate mechanoreceptors in the muscles and fascia. Percussive therapy may also improve flexibility of fascia and reduce trigger point sensitivity, allowing better movement and functional performance.

Toassess the short-term effect of percussive therapy on pain intensity in individuals with prolonged standing job hours with non-specific low back pain.

To evaluate the short-term impact of percussive therapy on functional disability in individuals with prolonged standing hours with non-specific low back pain.

To determine the impact of percussive therapy on quality of life in individuals with prolonged standing, non-specific low back pain.