Effects of electroacupuncture on pain, functional disability and ultrasonographic changes of gluteus maximus muscle in non-specific chronic low back pain patients with gluteus maximus muscle trigger points

Chronic low back pain is one of the major musculoskeletal problems. The presence of trigger points in the gluteus maximus muscle is a factor in increasing back pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of electro acupuncture on pain, functional disability and ultrasonographic changes of gluteus maximus muscle in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain with trigger points of gluteus maximus muscle.

This clinical trial study was performed on 38 non-specific chronic low back pain participants aged between 20-50 years. The participants were randomly assigned in 2 intervention and control groups. The scores of visual analogue scale of pain and disability questionnaire were recorded. The thickness of the gluteus maximus muscle was measured. Therefore, the control group performed 10 sessions routine physiotherapy (3 repetitions per week). The intervention group received 4 sessions’ electro acupuncture of gluteus maximus muscle (2 repetitions per week) and routine physiotherapy as mentioned above. At the end of intervention and two weeks after the last treatment session, the variables were assessed in both groups.

The results showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups in gluteus maximus thickness and lumbar pain; but there was a significant reduction in gluteal pain (P = 0.000) and the score of disability questionnaire (P = 0.007) in the intervention group compared to control group.

Electroacupuncture is an effective method in nonspecific chronic low back pain patients with trigger points of gluteus maximus muscle.The combination of electroacupuncture and routine physiotherapy compared to routine physiotherapy can help to decrease pain and functional disability significantly