This week the abstract we’re taking a look at is:
A comparison of two stretching programs for hamstring muscles: A randomized controlled assessor-blinded study. Demoulin C1,2, Wolfs S1,2, Chevalier M1, Granado C1, Grosdent S1,2, Depas Y1, Roussel N3,4, Hage R1, Vanderthommen M1,2.
In this study the authors looked at two different ways to stretch the hamstring muscles vs. a control group. They found that both of the stretching groups showed improvement in the ROM at the end of the study vs. the control group. After reading this I want to know “why were the hamstrings tight?” Are the contractile fibers actually shortened or are we getting a neuromuscular inhibition coming from the lumbar spine? I don’t know the answers to these questions and they might help to shed light as to why the results came out as they did. This study, however, does give me hope that even if my patients are not doing their exercises to improve their hamstring mobility as prescribed, that they will hopefully still see results.
For a deeper dive into this manual therapy topic and much more, browse our upcoming courses including Lower Extremity, Lumbopelvic Spine, Thoracic Spine and Spinal Manipulation.
**Abstract of the week shared by NAIOMT Instructor Stacy Soappman, PT, DSc, COMT, FAAOMPT.
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