A new report indicates that suboccipital muscle inhibition may benefit patients with short hamstring syndrome.According to the study, “the sample (70 subjects = 47 male and 23 female) was randomly divided into a control group (n = 34) and an intervention group (n = 36). Mean sample age was 23.40 ± 3.82 years. The control group was subjected to a placebo technique, whereas the intervention group was subjected to the suboccipital muscle inhibition technique. Pre and postintervention evaluation was used for the assessment of hamstring elasticity, and pressure algometry was also used (myofascial trigger points).”

The study’s authors write: “According to the finger-floor distance test, the straight leg raise test, and the popliteal angle test, the suboccipital muscle inhibition technique modified the elasticity of the hamstring muscles for this group of subjects. The suboccipital muscle inhibition technique modifies the pressure algometry of the semimembranosus muscle but does not modify that of the semitendinosus muscle or biceps femoris.”

JMPT – May 2009;32:262-69.

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