Date of Award

5-2026

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Honors Thesis

Department

General Science

First Advisor

Jeffrey Williams

Second Advisor

Justin Stanek

Abstract

Body tempering (BT) is a novel, myofascial release technique that is growing in popularity among sports medicine and performance practitioners. No studies have explored its effects on biomechanical tissue characteristics or its influence on perceived disablement within the thoracolumbar spine region. The aim of this study was to examine the acute effects of BT on soft-tissue characteristics and perceived disablement in the thoracolumbar spine region. A randomized controlled trial was used to study 22 young adults (10 males, 12 females, age=21.1±0.68 years, height=170.6±11.8 cm, mass=65.2±14.2 kg). Treatment group participants received a 1-minute BT treatment to the soft tissues of their thoracolumbar spine. Control group participants received no treatment. Pretest and posttest measurements of tissue characteristics (tone, stiffness, elasticity, relaxation, and creep) were performed on both groups inside a human performance lab by a single blinded examiner using a MyotonPRO. Levels of perceived lower back disability were also examined using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Independent t-tests were used to analyze changes in tissue characteristics and ODI scores from pre- to post-treatment, with p-values set a priori at 0.05. Results found there were no statistically significant changes in tissue tone, stiffness, elasticity, relaxation, creep, or ODI scores observed between groups (p > .05). In conclusion, a single BT treatment did not acutely change characteristics of the soft tissues within the thoracolumbar spine region. Body tempering also did not cause acute changes in perceived lower back disability. The efficacy of BT as a therapeutic technique remains questionable. Clinicians may benefit from employing other evidence-based therapies as myofascial release techniques.

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