Abstract
M.Tech.
The primary focus of this study was to compare different treatment protocols namely Chiropractic Adjustive Therapy of the Sacroiliac Joint, lschaemic Compression of Trigger Points within the Piriformis muscle and Chiropractic Adjustive Therapy of the Sacroiliac Joint combined with lschaemic Compression of Piriformis Trigger Points in the treatment of a dysfunctional Piriformis muscle, to see which of the chosen treatment protocols would be the superior choice in treating the dysfunctional muscle. It was hypothesised that all the chosen treatment protocols would be effective in treating a dysfunctional Piriformis muscle, while it was hoped that the Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy of the Sacroiliac Joint would be the superior choice in treating a dysfunctional Piriformis muscle.
Participants were recruited via posters and flyers in and around the University of
Johannesburg Campuses. Forty five participants were recruited and randomly divided into three groups (Groupl received Chiropractic Manipulation of the Sacroiliac joint, Group 2 received Chiropractic Manipulation of the Sacroiliac joint combined with lschemic compression of the Piriformis muscle and Group 3 received only lschemic compression of the Piriformis muscle) by drawing a number from a box marked one, two and three for the different treatment protocols. The participants were given a consent and information leaflet which they had to sign and any questions they had were answered to the best of the researcher's ability. All the participants received five treatments and Algometer
measurements were taken before and after every treatment and Numerical Pain Rating Scale forms were completed by the participant before treatment one and after treatment five. The results showed a significant decrease in pain perceived by the participants in
all the different groups on the Numerical Pain Rating Scale and on the Algometer measurements. When looking at the Numerical Pain Rating Scale Scores the group that received ischaemic compression (Group 2) had the most improvement and when comparing the Algometer Measurements between the groups, the group that received only the Chiropractic Adjustive Therapy of the Sacro-iliac Joints (Group 1) had the best improvement.