Can a cervical muscle inhibition technique reduce chronic low back pain?

Introduction: Chronic low back pain is the pain in the lumbo-sacral area with a duration of more than 3 months. The aim of the study was to find out the efficacy of sub-occipital muscle inhibition technique along with interferential therapy and exercises on pain and other functional parameters in chronic low back pain patients. Material and methods: 45 patients with a mean age of 38.53 ± 9.36 years who had chronic low back pain were randomly assigned to 3 groups (n = 15 in each group). Group-A received sub-occipital muscle inhibition technique, interferential therapy and exercise training, Group-B received interferential therapy and exercise training and Group-C received exercise training only for 3 days/week for 4 weeks. The outcome measures used were Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Modified-Modified Schober’s Test, Oswestry Disability Index and SF-36 questionnaire. Patients were assessed at baseline, after 2 weeks and 4 weeks. Results: There was significant within-group-effects (p = 0.001) for NPRS, lumbar flexion, functional disability (ODI) and quality of life (SF-36) in all the three groups, but not Lumbar extension. There was significant between-group-effect in lumbar flexion, lumbar extension and functional disability (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The sub-occipital muscle inhibition technique along with interferential therapy and spinal exercises have better clinical effects than interferential therapy and exercises alone in chronic low back pain patients.