Evaluation of two manipulative techniques in the treatment of postexercise muscle soreness

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of manipulative teatment in postexercise muscle soreness (PEMS), soreness was induced in the elbow flexors of 27 healthy, young adults. At 48 hours after the exercise, when the soreness was most severe, subjects were treated with either a myofascial manipulative technique, a muscle energy technique, or a placebo technique. Range of motion and upper arm circumference were measured before exercise, before treatment, immediately after treatment, and 48 hours post-treatment. Pain was assessed and recorded by the subjects each morning and evening for 6 days after the exercise. No significant differences appeared among the treatment and control groups, except in the single instance of a transient decrease in arm circumference immediately after treatment with the muscle energy technique. By analyzing present knowledge and theory regarding PEMS, somatic dysfunction, and manipulative techniques, the authors attempt to account for the apparent lack of efficacy of the techniques employed in the study.