Proposed clinical trial of Tandem Point therapy for iliopsoas syndrome

40 subjects, randomly assigned to test and control groups, who meet symptoms and signs noted above (exclude patients with referred pain patterns that are not consistent with iliospsoas syndrome). Subjects have no illness or fatigue patterns. All subjects prepare for the session with consumption of protein, water, no exercise, no flying.

Test subjects receive one hour of Tandem Point therapy for psoas major syndrome. Control group subjects receive one hour of Swedish massage, based on the protocol used for clinical trials at the University of Miami's Touch Research Institute. Practitioners treating control group subjects need not be told that they are treating control group subjects, that is, they could be told that the test is of the effectiveness of Swedish massage for low back pain.

All subjects are instructed to drink 2 quarts of water for two days following treatment. No vigorous exercise for 48 hours, that is, nothing more strenuous than a one-hour walk without weights. Subjects are further instructed to stretch the psoas muscles twice daily for 30 seconds each side, throughout the month following the session. Subjects are prohibited from doing sit-ups or other abdominal muscle strengthening exercises for the month.

Test for: Hip extension per Measurement of Joint Motion by Norkin and White. Self-reported pain on the visual analogue scale. In my practice, more hip extension correlates with less pain, and 30 degrees or more of hip extension is usually associated with no lumbar pain. Test at the beginning and end of session and one month after the session.