Background and Aim: Several stretching methods have been shown to increase flexibility of the short muscles. Previous research suggests muscle energy techniques produce increments in range of motion, but there are many variations of muscle energy techniques. The purpose of our study was to determine the efficacy of muscle energy techniques with 50% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction and 10 second hold in compared to control group.

Materials and methods: A sample of 30 female subjects (aged 20 -25 years) participated in this study. All subjects had limited hamstrings flexibility in degrees of passive knee extension. The subjects in experimental group (n=15) received 3 muscle energy techniques (50% MVIC, hold time=10 sec) for 4 weeks, whereas the control group (n=15) remained without treatment. Before and after range of knee extension was measured for all subjects.

Results: The paired t test revealed a significant differences in flexibility for experimental group (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in flexibility gains in control group (P<0.001). Treatment group had significant greater flexibility than the control group (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Muscle energy techniques with above protocol produce an increase of hamstring flexibility.

Background and Aim: The main cause of Myofascial pain syndrome is trigger point. The purpose of this study was to compare muscle energy technique (MET) with dry needling (DN) on latent trigger point of upper trapezius.

Materials and Methods: Fourty females, with diagnosis of latent trigger point of upper trapezius after adopting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were equally and randomly allocated into either the muscle energy technique or dry needling groups. Each patient received one treatment to the upper trapezius muscle. Outcome measures (visual analogue scale (VAS), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and range of active contra lateral flexion (CLF) measured before and 48 hours after treatment.

Results: Two techniques which used in this study were effective for treating latent trigger point of upper trapezius (P<0/001) but no significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of the above variables (p>0/05).

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that muscle energy technique was as effective as dry needling in improvement of VAS, PPT and ROM in subjects with latent trigger point of upper trapezius muscle. But since muscle energy technique is safe and non-invasive method, therefore, if you want to select one of these two techniques, muscle energy technique is recommended.

Keywords: Dry needling, Muscle energy technique, Trigger points

Background and Aim:: Muscular shortness is one of the most common musculoskeletal impairments. It may occur as a result of trauma or even a sedentary life style and cause clinical symptoms. Hamstring muscle, due to its functional roles, is prone to injuries during physical activities. Research has shown that decreased hamstring muscle flexibility may lead to lower extremity injury. The goal of this study is to compare the effects of myofascial release (MFR) and muscle energy technique (MET) effects on hamstring muscle flexibility. 

Materials and Methods: Twenty four non-athlete healthy subjects (means ± SD= 26/12 ± 5.4 Years) were randomly assigned to two groups; myofascial release group and muscle energy technique group. Passive range of motion (ROM) of knee extension was measured using a digital goniometer before and immediately after the intervention.

Results: There was a significant increase in the knee passive range of motion immediately after both interventions (in MFR group p=0.000 and in MET Group p=0.000).The amount of knee extension increase was greater in myofascial release group (p=0.023).

Conclusion: Both MFR and MET can increase hamstring muscle flexibility; however, in this study MFR has shown to be more effective than MET.

Keywords: Flexibility, Muscle energy technique,  Myofascial release technique,  Hamstring muscle