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Effect of Bowen Technique Versus Muscle Energy Technique on Asymptomatic Subjects with Hamstring tightness

INTRODUCTION: The Bowen technique or Bowen therapy is an alternative type of physical manipulation named after Australian Thomas Bowen. This technique works on the soft connective tissue (fascia) of the body. It can be used to treat musculoskeletal or related neurological problems including acute sports injuries and chronic or organic conditions. It is gentle and relaxing and does not use forceful manipulation. Bowen therapy is performed on the superficial and deep fascia. The fascia, or soft tissue, is the part of the connective tissue that envelops, separates and influences every organ and tissue in the body. Muscle energy techniques describes a broad class of manual therapy techniques directed at improving musculoskeletal function or joint function, and improving pain. Historically, the concept emerged as a form of osteopathic manipulative diagnosis and treatment in which the patient muscles are actively used on request, from a precisely controlled position, in a specific direction, and against a distinctly executed counterforce. It targets the soft tissue primarily and can be called as active muscular relaxation technique. AIM OF THE STUDY: To find out the effectiveness of Bowen Technique Versus Muscle Energy Technique on asymptomatic subjects with hamstring tightness. OBJECTIVES: 1. To have in depth knowledge about the muscle hamstring. 2. To improve the hamstring flexibility in healthy individuals. 3. To know about both Bowen and Muscle Energy Techniques. 4. To find out the effectiveness of Bowen Technique versus Muscle Energy Technique on an asymptomatic subjects with hamstring tightness. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: MATERIALS: Treatment couch, Pillows, Blankets, Goniometer, Inch tape. METHODOLOGY: Goniometer is used to measure popliteal angle. Inch tape is used to measure sit and reach test value. Populations: Patients with age group of 18-24 years healthy individual of same sex. Study Design: 1. Quasi Experimental Design. 2. Pre and post experimental study design. Study Setting: 2. Nandha College of Physiotherapy Outpatient Department. 3. Nandha Mens Hostel. Study Duration: Study was conducted for a period of 1-5 days. Treatment Duration: Study was carried out for 1-5 days for each patient. Group A patients received Bowen Technique was performed for in 3 alternate sessions. Group B patients received Muscle Energy Technique was performed for in 3 alternate sessions. Study Sampling: Convenient Sampling Method. Sample Size: Sample size is 30 subjects. Group –A (Bowen technique) 15 patients. Group –B (Muscle Energy Technique) 15 patients. Inclusion Criteria: • Asymptomatic subjects with hamstring tightness. • Only males. • Age group between 18 to 24 years. • 20°-50° degree active knee extension loss with hip in 90 of flexion. • Full passive range of motion of knee extension. • Subjects willing to participate in the study. Exclusion Criteria: • Subjects having low back pain and neurological pain. • Subjects if they have any history of lower extremity injury in past 3 months. • Any fracture or surgery done for back, pelvis, hip or knee. • Spinal deformity. • Any recent abdominal surgery. • Any congenital deformities in lower limb. RESULTS: The study sample comprised 30 patients, of which 30 were males. The median time interval of goniometer and sit and reach test applied before and after therapy was 5 days. Among 30 patients, 15 were treated with bowen technique and 15 were treated with Muscle energy technique. The pre and post test values were assessed in popliteal angle group A. The mean difference value in right side is 7.73 and left side 5.4. The standard deviation value in right side is 2.71 and left side is 1.91. The paired 't' test value for popliteal angle in right side 11.02 and left side 10.50. The paired 't' test value is more than table value 2.15 for 5% level of significance at 14 degrees of freedom. CONCLUSION: On the basis of statistical analysis, we conclude that 3 sessions on alternate days for a week proved to be effective in improving popliteal angle, sit and reach test for flexibility and strength of muscle in both Bowen Technique as well as Muscle Energy Technique but Bowen Technique has shown more improvement in hamstring flexibility and ROM than Muscle Energy Technique. Increase in strength was seen more in Muscle Energy Technique than the Bowen technique. Since this study has given a better result in normal subjects it can be recommended for the use of the patients with hamstring tightness. This study analyses the immediate effect of hamstring flexibility, so the maintenance of flexibility of hamstring muscle for long term can be done as a further study. These techniques can also be used for athletic population. Since this study recruited small number of subjects, the number of subjects can be increased in further studies