Abstract
Purpose: Myofascial pain syndrome is one of the leading causes of chronic pain and imposes large financial costs to society. Myofascial trigger points are closely associated with the clinical manifestation of myofascial pain syndrome. Myofascial trigger points may be active or latent in presentation and may produce characteristic symptoms in terms of pain presentation. The constant use of computers to perform daily tasks has contributed to the development of musculoskeletal disorders. Bad posture while working with a computer leads to rounded shoulders and forward head position which potentially leads to the formation of the spasm-pain-spasm cycle, which, due to the decreased blood and oxygen supply and nutrients to the muscle, eventually leads to the formation of myofascial trigger points. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of ischaemic compression and dry needling applied individually to an active myofascial trigger point of the upper trapezius muscle (TP1) with regards to pain, disability, and cervical spinal range of motion.
Method: This study consisted of two groups, the ischaemic compression group with fifteen participants and dry needling group with fifteen participants. The participants were between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years of age. Prior to becoming a participant of this study, individuals were assessed according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a clinical case history, physical examination, cervical spine regional examination and upper trapezius muscle palpation to assess for an active trapezius myofascial trigger point 1 only, from which the subjective and objective results were based.
Procedure: Each group‟s participants were treated six times over a period of three weeks. The participants were measured using pressure algometer and cervical range of motion devices (CROM) for objective measurements and they completed Vernon-Mior Neck pain and disability index (VMNPDI) and a Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for subjective measurements. Ischaemic compression and dry needling, group 1 and group 2 respectively, then each received treatment of active trapezius myofacial trigger point 1, for...
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)