Objective:

To explore clinical effects of manipulation therapy in treating degenerative lumbar instability based on myofascial chain theory.

Methods:

Fifty-seven patients with degenerative lumbar spine instability were analyzed retrospectively from January 2018 to December 2019, and treated with massage manipulation therapy. Among them, 29 patients were treated with massage manipulation therapy based on the myofascial chain theory (myofascial chain group), including 14 males and 15 females, aged from 40 to 69 years old with an average of (51.76±5.07) years old, the courses of disease was (3.4±1.6) years. Twenty-eight patients were treated with massage manipulation therapy based on TCM meridian theory (TCM meridian group), including 12 males and 16 females, aged from 42 to 70 years old with an average of(52.48±4.31) years old, the courses of disease was (3.3±1.7) years. Before treatment, after treatment, 1 and 3 months after treatment, visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate pain degree of lumbar, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and modified Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to assess improvement of lumbar function, and changes of lumbar muscle tension were used to evaluate clinical effect.

Results:

VAS score, JOA score, modified ODI score and lumbar muscle tension after treatment were significantly improved than those of before treatment between two groups (P<0.05) . There were no statistical difference in VAS score, JOA score, modified ODI score and lumbar muscle tension between two groups before treatment and after treatment immediately(P> 0.05). However, VAS score, JOA score, modified ODI score and lumbar muscle tension at one and three months after treatment in myofascial chain group weresignificantly better than that of TCM meridian group (P<0.05).

Conclusion:

Manipulation therapyon in treating degenerative lumbar instability based on myofascial chain theory could effectively relieve low back pain symptom and improve lumbar function. It is worthy of promoting.