Effects of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization and Bowen Technique in Fibromyalgia

Effects of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization and Bowen Technique in Chronic Low Back Pain of Fibromyalgia

To compare the effects of Bowen's and Graston Technique in patients of chronic low back pain for reducing pain, enhancing lumbar range of motion and physical functioning and reducing depression.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease of idiopathic etiology, which is estimated to affect 2-4% of the population. It causes pain, stiffness, and tenderness in muscles, tendons, and joints, as well as sleep disturbances, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and alterations in intestinal functions. Chronic low back pain is a pain of more than 12 weeks limited to the lower area of the back .The chief complaint of a patient with fibromyalgia is widespread musculoskeletal pain which is bilateral and involves both upper and lower parts of the body. The pain may be localized initially, commonly in the neck and shoulders. The predominant description of the pain is muscle pain, but the patients may complain of joint pain as well .

Grastοn technique is an instrument assisted soft tissue treatment method (ІASTM) derived from the Cyriax1 cross-friction massage. Physіοtherapist strikes stainless steel instrument in a longitudinal dіrectіοn and in circular patterns at the treatment site. Many IASTM instruments including ASTYM, Fascial Abrasion Technique and Graston Technique etc. facilitates the healing process through increased fibroblast proliferation and increased collagen synthesis, maturation, and alignment.

Bowen Therapy is a dynamic fascial and muscle release approach, consisting of gentle cross-fiber movements applied to the fascia, muscles, tendons, muscle insertions, muscle septa, ligaments and viscera. It is named after Tom Bowen, who created a form of bodywork in Geelong, Australia and addresses the body as a whole unit rather than just the presenting symptoms.

The rationale for the use of these techniques is to identify the effects of IASTM and Bowen therapy in chronic low back pain of fibromyalgia and to analyze the additional effects of these techniques by reducing the hyperalgesia and excitability in central nervous system by working on the descending pain modulation system and to identify the most time effective treatment for chronic low back pain in fibromyalgia.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 30 and 65 years
• Both Genders
• Patients with fibromyalgia were included in the study if they fulfilled criteria of the American college of rheumatology for fibromyalgia.
• Patients having chronic mechanical low back pain of more than three months

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with tumor, infection and major trauma to the spine causing fracture or disruption of spine.
• Patients with cauda equina syndrome
• Any neurological disorder
• Any previous spinal fusion surgery or spinal cord stimulation.
• Pregnant females