Can the application of the Ergon® IASTM treatment on remote parts of the superficial back myofascial line be equally effective with the local application for the improvement of the hamstrings' flexibility? A randomized control study.
Konstantinos Fousekis, Kristin Eid, Enea Tafa and 6 others
PMID 31417211WHAT IT FOUND
Applying IASTM tools to the upper back or the lower leg produced similar gains in hamstring flexibility.
Treating a distant part of the myofascial line worked as well as treating the hamstrings directly over four weeks.
Key findings
01Both experimental groups improved passive straight leg raise performance significantly more than the control group over four weeks.
02There was no significant difference in flexibility gains between applying the treatment to the trunk/neck area versus the lower extremity.
03The control group showed no improvement in hamstring flexibility.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study only included young university students (mean age 24.4 years) with reduced flexibility. Results may not apply to older adults or people with normal flexibility. The control group did not receive any sham treatment or standard care, so it is unclear if the effect is due to the specific IASTM technique or just any manual contact/attention. The study measured acute and short-term changes over four weeks only. It does not show if these flexibility gains are sustained long-term. The mechanism of how treating the upper back affects the hamstrings is not proven; the authors suggest myofascial continuity or neurophysiological factors, but this was not tested.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume this proves the 'myofascial line' theory is the cause. The study shows that treating the upper back improves hamstring flexibility, but it does not rule out that general relaxation or placebo effects from any manual therapy could produce similar results, as there was no sham control.