COMPARATIVE EFFECT OF DRY NEEDLING ASSISTED GLUTEUS MAXIMUS ACTIVATION ON PAIN, DISABILITY AND MUSCLE STRENGTH IN LOW BACK PAIN DUE TO GLUTEAL AMNESIA: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

BackgroundLow back pain is commonly associated with altered lumbopelvic mechanics, poor hip control andcompensatory overactivity of lumbar extensor muscles. Gluteal amnesia, characterized by reduced ordelayed activation of the gluteus maximus, may increase lumbar loading during daily activities such asstanding, walking, bending, lifting and stair climbing. Dry needling may reduce myofascial irritability andassist neuromuscular activation when combined with a structured gluteus maximus exercise protocol.ObjectiveTo compare the effect of a home exercise program with dry needling assisted gluteus maximus activationcombined with a specific exercise protocol on pain intensity, functional disability and gluteus maximusstrength in individuals with low back pain due to gluteal amnesia.MethodsAn experimental comparative study was conducted among 60 participants with low back pain associatedwith gluteal amnesia. Participants were divided into two groups of 30 each. Group A received a structuredhome exercise program, while Group B received dry needling activation of the gluteus maximus along witha progressive specific exercise protocol. Outcome measures included Visual Analogue Scale (VAS),Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and gluteus maximus strength measured by manual muscle testing. Pre-intervention and post-intervention scores were recorded and analyzed using paired t-test and independent t-test with significance set at p < 0.05.ResultsBoth groups showed statistically significant improvements after intervention. Group A showed reduction inVAS from 7.04 +/- 1.06 to 4.93 +/- 1.20, while Group B improved from 6.72 +/- 1.02 to 3.02 +/- 1.17. ODIreduced from 46.35 +/- 7.98% to 32.43 +/- 9.07% in Group A and from 46.94 +/- 6.87% to 22.68 +/-9.31% in Group B. Gluteus maximus strength improved from 3.24 +/- 0.35 to 3.94 +/- 0.46 in Group A andfrom 3.12 +/- 0.40 to 4.36 +/- 0.42 in Group B. Between-group comparison showed significantly greaterimprovement in Group B for VAS, ODI and strength gain.ConclusionDry needling assisted gluteus maximus activation combined with a specific progressive exercise protocolproduced greater improvement in pain, disability and gluteus maximus strength than the home exerciseprogram alone. The findings support the use of targeted gluteal activation strategies in selected patientswith low back pain due to gluteal amnesia.