Effects of Mckenzie Extension Protocol With and Without Graston Technique on Pain Intensity, Range of Motion and Functional Disability in Patients With Lumbar Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Lumbar myofascial pain syndrome (LMPS) is one of the most common causes of chronic low back pain, and is a musculoskeletal disorder characterized by localized pain due to trigger points, palpable intramuscular taut bands, and referred pain. The MTrPs are hyperirritable spots, usually within a taut band of muscle fibers or in the muscle fascia, which are painful on compression and can give rise to characteristic referred pain, motor dysfunction, and autonomic phenomena .Conservative management through manual therapy is widely used, but comparative effectiveness of different techniques remains unclear. This randomized clinical trial was designed to compare the Effects of Mckenzie Extension Protocol with and without Graston technique on Pain intensity, Range of Motion and functional Disability in Patients with Lumbar Myofascial Pain Syndrome. A total of 70 participants diagnosed with Lumbar Myofascial Pain Syndrome were recruited . All the screened and willing participants were randomly allocated to two groups by lottery method with 35 patients in each group. (Group A: Experimental group /GT group, Group B: Comparative Group / MEP group) . Group A participants received the Graston technique with the McKenzie extension protocol. The same exercise program will be applied to the patients in both groups, three days a week, for four weeks. The exercise program will include exercises for stretching the lower back muscles including knee to chest, double knee to chest, straight leg raises, cat and camel, and quadratus lumborum stretch. The program will be prescribed and supervised by a physiotherapist and will be adapted according to each patient's tolerance.

The stretching exercise will be prescribed three times a day, for three sets of ten repetitions, with each stretch lasting 15 to 30 seconds. The number of repetitions will be checked weekly and increased gradually according to tolerance.

To treat the affected areas of patients in the intervention group, a Graston instrument will be applied to the superficial and deep fascia of the erector spinae, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and hamstrings by the physiotherapist. Initially, patients will be asked to kneel directly on the bed and lean forward. In this position, the superficial and deep fascia of the erector spinae will be treated. The Graston technique will then be applied to the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius in the hip and knee flexion position, with the patient in a side-lying position, and will be performed in the prone position for the hamstring muscles.

The largest Graston instrument (GT1), designed to treat soft tissue restrictions over large surface areas, will be used. A lubricating cream will be applied to facilitate smooth gliding of the instrument over the tissues. The Graston technique will be applied for 20 seconds at a 45° angle parallel to the muscle fibers for each treated muscle, followed by an additional 20 seconds at a 45° angle perpendicular to the muscle fibers. The total treatment time will be approximately 40 seconds per muscle.

Patients will be informed that they may experience pain, bruising, or small red spots (petechiae) in the treated area. If severe pain occurs after treatment, ice will be applied for 15-20 minutes. The Graston technique will be administered three times a week for four weeks.