Effectiveness of Adding Muscle Energy Technique to Routine Physical Therapy for Pain Management, Range of Motion, and Functional Disability in Piriformis Syndrome

Background of the study:Piriformis syndrome is a neuromusculardisorder. Muscle energy technique (MET), when combined with routine physical therapy, is proposed to improve outcomes by enhancing muscle flexibility, and reducing pain. Methodology:A randomized controlled trial was conducted in the University of LahoreTeaching Hospital.In the routine physical therapy, 19 females and 12 males were allocated, while 20 females and 11 males were recruited in the other group. The control group received transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), heat therapy, range of motion, stretching exercise and core strengthening exercise. At the same time, the experimental group was treated with the isometric relaxation muscle energy technique Results: The muscle energy technique (MET) combined with routine physical therapy was more effective than routine physical therapy. Experimental group: After one-month follow-up, the value NPRS had a mean of 1.34±0.48, internal rotation ROM was 38.93± 4.78, abduction ROM was 39.83±5.84 and lower extremity functional scalewas 67.38+12.31 while in control group, NPRS had value 2.3+0.31 ROM of internal rotation and abduction was 38.93±4.78 and 39.83±5.84, the mean value of lower extremity functional scalewas 56.66±17.04. Conclusion: Muscle energy techniqueand routine physical therapyare more effective in treating pain, range of motion, and functional disability.