A 3-month Follow-up Study of the Long-term Effects of Direct Stretching of the Tensor Fasciae Latae Muscle in Patients with Acute Lumbago Using a Single-case Design

[Purpose] A 3-month follow-up study was conducted on a patient diagnosed with acute nonspecfic lumbago. Direct stretching (DS) of the tensor fasciae latae muscle (TFLM) was performed, and an immediate effect was confirmed. [Subjects] The case subject was a 60-year-old woman diagnosed with acute nonspecific lumbago. [Methods] We used a single-case study design and an AB-type study structure, in which the leg was placed in positions that relieved the back pain in period A and DS of the TFLM was performed in period B. The evaluation indices were the visual analog scale (VAS), finger-to-floor distance (FFD), and posterior lumbar flexibility (PLF), which were analyzed using the binomial test. [Results] The VAS, FFD, and PLF in period B showed significant improvement when compared with period A. Additionally, complaints of lower back pain ceased after 2 weeks, and the results of the follow-up study showed no recurrence of back pain during the 3 months. [Conclusion] The results of this study suggest that DS of the TFLM has an immediate effect on acute nonspecific lumbago in addition to long-term pain relief effects.