Abstract
Introduction: 86% of American’s sit for over 13 hours a day with the hamstrings in a shortened position. Hamstrings with reduced flexibility can result in pain and decreased movement of the hip and knee. It can result in a posterior pelvic tilt, flattening the lumbar spine thus stressing the lumbar facet joints causing pain, decreased range of motion and early degeneration. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of sacroiliac joint manipulation, dynamic oscillatory stretching with isometric contraction (DOS) and a combination of the two in the management of decreased hamstring flexibility. Method: The study population of 30 participants, both male and female, between the ages of 18 to 44 years old, with decreased hamstring flexibility. The participants were split into three groups of ten. Group 1 had their dysfunctional sacroiliac joint manipulated, group 2 had DOS performed on both hamstrings and group 3 had a combination of these treatments. Procedure: Each participant attended a total of six treatment sessions twice a week for three weeks with one follow up session in the fourth week. The objective data was collected at the first, fourth and seventh sessions by measuring lumbar spine range of motion using a digital inclinometer and hamstring flexibility with a passive straight leg raise using a goniometer as well as the sit-and-reach test with a sit-and-reach box. Results: The straight leg raise results were as follows: the intragroup analysis demonstrated that on the left side, group 1 had a 2,85% change between the first and final readings. With a p-value of 0,670, it was not a statistically significant result (p > 0.05). Group 2 had a 8,70% change with a p-value of 0,023 (statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05)). Group 3 had a 13,51% change with a p-value of 0,000 (statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05)). The intergroup analysis demonstrated a p-value of 0,072 which is not statistically significant (p > 0.05). On the right side, group 1 had a 3,61% change with a p-value of 0,273 (not statistically significant (p > 0.05)). Group 2 had a 8,90% change with a p-value of 0,006 (statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05)). Group 3 had a 12,94% change with a p-value of 0,001 (statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05)). The intergroup analysis demonstrated a pvalue of 0,463 which is not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: This study determined that manipulation of the sacroiliac joint alone is not a viable treatment method in the management of hamstrings with reduced flexibility but DOS and DOS in combination with sacroiliac joint manipulation both are. Neither of these treatment methods is more effective than the other.
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)