Influence of Nerve Flossing Technique on acute sciatica and hip range of motion

Background: Sciatica is one of the most common painful and disabling conditions affecting about 40% of low back pain cases and 1.6% - 43% of adult population annually. Many conventional physiotherapeutic modalities have been used to manage sciatica but the effect of Nerve Flossing Technique (NFT), which is a cost effective treatment option in the management of acute sciatica is yet to be investigated. Aim: This study was therefore conducted to investigate the influence of NFT on acute sciatica symptoms and hip range of motion. Methods: A pretest-posttest control experimental design, involving 32 participants from two hospitals in Lagos state Nigeria, with acute sciatica were randomly assigned into two groups; Group A (Study Group) received NFT in addition to Conventional Physiotherapy and group B (Control Group) received only Conventional Physiotherapy. The outcome of the study was assessed using Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Passive Straight Leg Raise (PSLR). Results: The result of this study revealed that, both groups were found to have significant improvement in NPRS score (P<0.01) and PSLR value (P<0.01). However, the study group had significant (P<0.01) improvement in both outcome measures when compared to the control group. Conclusion: Nerve Flossing Technique reduced acute sciatica and improved hip range of motion hence, can be utilised in the treatment of patient with acute sciatica.Key words: Nerve Flossing Technique, acute sciatica, conventional physiotherapy, hip range of motion, Numeric Pain Rating Scale, intraneural edem