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Strain-Counterstrain Treatment for Piriformis Pain

This study is looking at a treatment called Strain-Counterstrain for pain caused by the piriformis muscle. This muscle is located deep in your buttock and can sometimes cause low back pain or a condition called piriformis syndrome. The treatment involves gently moving your leg to relax the piriformis muscle. Researchers want to see if this treatment can reduce your pain. You might be able to join if you are between 18 and 65 years old and have a tender spot in your piriformis muscle. The study aims to see if this treatment can improve your pain levels, measured by how much pressure you can tolerate before feeling pain.

Study design
This study has two groups: one receiving the piriformis Strain-Counterstrain treatment and another receiving a sham (inactive) treatment on the hamstring muscle. It plans to enroll 30 participants.
What's involved
You would have two treatment sessions, ideally 1-2 weeks apart. You will fill out questionnaires and have your pain levels measured before and after each treatment.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your pain will be assessed before the first treatment and after the second treatment, which is 1-2 weeks later.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05023005

Strain-Counterstrain Treatment of Piriformis Pain

Recruiting
NAAges 18–65InterventionalTreatment
Loma Linda University
~30 participants
Updated 2026-04-24 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Strain-Counterstrain treatment of piriformis muscle

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Algometer - Change in pressure pain threshold
Measured over Pre and post each treatment. There are 2 treatments, 1-2 weeks apart from one another.

Conditions

Low Back Pain, Mechanical
Piriformis Syndrome
Somatic Dysfunction of Sacral Region (Finding)

Explore related trials

Lower Back PainPiriformis Muscle SyndromeSomatic dysfunction of sacral region

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
California1

Study leadership

  • Mickey Lui · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Loma Linda University Health

Who to contact

Roya Vahdatinia, DO
[email protected]
9095586202
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

18 to 65 years of age
Tender point (or trigger point) in piriformis muscle determined by physical exam

Exclusion

Less than 45 degrees of active hip flexion, less than 5 degrees of active hip internal rotation or less than 30 degrees of active hip external rotation, on side of affected piriformis
Unable to lay prone
Non-English speaker
Inability to attend 2 sessions within the same month
Active cancer
Pregnant
Diagnosis of lumbar radiculopathy
Greater than grade 1 lumbar spondylolisthesis
Presence of lumbar region Pars Defect
Receiving massage, acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, osteopathic treatments during study period.

What this trial measures

  • Algometer - Change in pressure pain thresholdPre and post each treatment. There are 2 treatments, 1-2 weeks apart from one another.

    Objective improvement in pressure/pain threshold