Strain-Counterstrain Treatment of Piriformis Pain

Launched by LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY · Aug 20, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new treatment called Strain-Counterstrain for people who experience pain from a muscle in the buttocks area known as the piriformis muscle. This pain can be related to conditions like low back pain, piriformis syndrome, and other issues in the lower back. The goal of the study is to find a safe and effective way to help relieve this type of pain without using invasive methods, such as surgery.

To be eligible for the trial, participants need to be between 18 and 65 years old and have a specific tender point in the piriformis muscle that a doctor can identify during an examination. However, some people may not qualify if they have certain limitations in hip movement, cannot lie on their stomach, are unable to attend two sessions in the same month, or have other medical conditions like active cancer or pregnancy. If selected, participants will attend treatment sessions aimed at reducing their pain. Importantly, those involved will not be allowed to receive other treatments like massage or acupuncture during the study period.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 18 to 65 years of age
• • Tender point (or trigger point) in piriformis muscle determined by physical exam
• Exclusion criteria:
• • Less than 45 degrees of active hip flexion, less than 5 degrees of active hip internal rotation or less than 30 degrees of active hip external rotation, on side of affected piriformis
• • Unable to lay prone
• • Non-English speaker
• • Inability to attend 2 sessions within the same month
• • Active cancer
• • Pregnant
• • Diagnosis of lumbar radiculopathy
• • Greater than grade 1 lumbar spondylolisthesis
• • Presence of lumbar region Pars Defect
• • Receiving massage, acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, osteopathic treatments during study period.