Objective: To determine the effectivness of muscle energy technique versus strain counter strain techniques on trigger points of quadratus lumborum among patients with low back pain.

Methodology: A quasi-experimental trial was conducted on 40 patients who had low back pain due to trigger points in Sialkot medical complex hospital, Sialkot. The participants were divided into group A (MET) and group B (SCS). Group A was treated with muscle energy techniques and moist heat therapy, while Group B was treated with strain counter strain technique and moist heat therapy for two weeks. Numeric pain rating scale and Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire were used. Data was analyzed on SPSS 21.

Results: The mean score of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was 53.10±7.35 and 56.60 ± 7.89 at the start of treatment in group A (MET) and group B (SCS), respectively. The final ODI score for group A (MET) and group B (SCS) was 22.25± 5.87 and 37.70± 7.87, respectively. The mean value of pain intensity on the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) was 7.30±1.25 vs. 7.85±1.26 at the start of treatment in Group A (MET) and Group B (SCS), respectively. The post-treatment NPRS score was 3.20 ±1.16 vs. 4.55±1.20 for Group A (MET) and Group B (SCS), respectively.

Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, both METS and SCS significantly improved pain and functional disability in patients with low back pain caused by trigger points in the quadratus lumborum. However, in terms of mean difference, METS are more effective than SCS.

Keywords: Strain counter strain, METS, Trigger points, Quadratus lumborum, Low back pain