Unlocking Pain Relief for Chronic Low Back Pain: The Potential of the 4xT Method® - A Dual Case Study Analysis.

BACKGROUND The 4xT method is a therapeutic approach involving 10 sequential steps. The 4xT method uses the steps test, trigger, tape, and train, sequentially executed until the patient can train with an acceptable level of pain. The report aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of 4xT therapy in managing chronic nonspecific low back pain (LBP) after the first treatment and after 6 weeks of therapy by measuring changes in range of motion (ROM) and pain levels using the numeric rating scale (pain NRS). CASE REPORT After the first treatment, patient 1 (42-year-old woman with 16 years of LBP, having a profession requiring standing) improved substantially in ROM, increasing flexion from 57° to 104° and extension from 5° to 21°. The pain NRS during flexion decreased from 8 to 0 (after step 6), and during extension, it decreased from 6 to 0 (after step 7). Similarly, patient 2 (43-year-old man with 13 weeks of LBP, having a sedentary occupation) showed ROM improvements, increasing extension from 16° to 25° and flexion from 58° to 101°. After step 8, pain NRS during extension decreased from 7 to 1, and during flexion, it decreased from 6 to 2 (after step 3). Pain further reduced to NRS0 after training. After 6 weeks of 4xT therapy, LBP improved, and mobility substantially increased in both patients. CONCLUSIONS The 4xT method was effective in reducing pain and improving mobility in 2 LBP patients after initial treatment and 6 weeks of therapy. Further research is necessary to validate these results in larger populations.

Skin Displacement as fascia tissue manipulation at the lower back affects instantaneously the flexion-and extension spine, pelvis, and hip range of motion.

Low back pain (LBP), associated with spine, pelvis, and hip mobility impairments can be caused by tight muscle contractions, to protect sensitized lumbar fasciae. Fascia tissue manipulations are used to treat lumbar fascia in LBP. The effect of fascia tissue manipulations through lumbodorsal skin displacement (SKD) on mobility is inconclusive likely depending on the location and displacement direction of the manipulation. This study aimed to assess whether lumbodorsal SKD affects the flexion -and extension range of motion (ROM), in healthy subjects. Furthermore, we aimed to test the effect of SKD at different locations and directions. Finally, to assess intertester and intratester reliability of SKD. Effects of SKD were tested in a motion capture, single-blinded, longitudinal, experimental study. Sixty-three subjects were randomly assigned to SKD- or sham group. SKD group was subjected to either mediolateral directed SKD during flexion or extension movement, versus a sham. The thoracic, lumbar, and hip angles and finger floor distance were measured to assess the change in ROM. Statistics indicated that the effect size in instantaneously change of flexion -and extension ROM by SKD was large (Effect size: flexion η2 p = 0.12-0.90; extension η2 p = 0.29-0.42). No significant effect was present in the sham condition. Flexion ROM decreased whereas the extension ROM increased, depending on SKD location- and displacement direction (p < 0.05). The ICC indicates a good intertester and intratester reliability (resp. ICC3,k = 0.81-0.93; ICC3,1 = 0.70-0.84). Lumbodorsal SKD affects the flexion- and extension spine, pelvis, and hip range of motion. The effects of SKD are direction- and location dependent as well as movement (flexion/extension) specific. Lumbodorsal SKD during flexion and extension may be useful to determine whether or not a patient would benefit from fascia tissue manipulations. Further research is required to obtain insight into the mechanisms via which the SKD affects ROM and muscle activation, in healthy, asymptomatic-LBP, and LBP subjects.

Systematic Review of Lumbar Elastic Tape on Trunk Mobility: A Debatable Issue.

OBJECTIVES: To systematically review the literature to analyze the effect of lumbar elastic tape application on trunk mobility, surpassing the minimal detectable change of the used outcome measurement tool, and to analyze the additional effect of applied tension and direction of elastic tape application in low back pain and participants without low back pain. DATA SOURCES: Four databases were used: PubMed, Web of Science, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and Google Scholar. STUDY SELECTION: The inclusion criteria were randomized and clinical controlled trials evaluating the effectiveness of lumbar elastic tape application on trunk mobility. DATA EXTRACTION: Two researchers executed the search and a third author was consulted to resolve disagreements. The methodological quality was scored using the PEDro scale, with studies scoring ≤5 being excluded. DATA SYNTHESIS: Eight out of 6799 studies were included; 5 studied individuals with low back pain, and 3 studied participants without low back pain. Two studies scored low on the PEDro scale and were excluded. None of the reported significant changes in trunk mobility due to elastic tape application exceeded the indicated minimal detectable change. No conclusions can be drawn from the direction and applied tension of elastic tape application. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this systematic review, there is no evidence supporting the effect of lumbar elastic tape application. We recommend consensus in the use of more reliable and valid instruments in future studies.