Effects of Ultrasound-guided Percutaneous Neuromodulation on Flexibility and Hamstring Force

The flexibility of the hamstrings is a very important component both for general health and when exercising. The lack of hamstring flexibility has been related to the increase in the likelihood of suffering a large number of musculoskeletal pathologies, due to the possibility of causing important muscle imbalances, which include lumbar spine pathologies, such as disc hernias or spondyloarthrosis. In addition, the decrease in the flexibility of the hamstring musculature is also related to the increased likelihood of suffering muscle strains, patellar tendon tendinopathies, femoropatellar syndrome and decreased lumbopelvic rhythm.

Clinically, an invasive technique has appeared, known as Ultrasound-guided Percutaneous Neuromodulation (PNM). This minimally invasive intervention consists in the application of a percutaneous electrical stimulation (PES) through an acupuncture needle-like electrode that is placed in close proximity to the nerve or motor point of the muscle with ultrasound guidance. At the clinical level, the PES is always used with the therapeutic aim of relieving chronic pain and neuropathic pain. Similarly, in sports, PES is used with the aim of improving muscular activity. Therefore, according to the characteristics and the therapeutic benefits of this technique, further research is needed to discover multiple clinical indications.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects on flexibility and strength of an ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation intervention in patients with shortening of the hamstring muscles.