Abstract
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)
Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of thoracic spinal manipulative therapy, laser therapy of the rhomboid trigger points and the combination thereof in the treatment of active rhomboid trigger points. This study would then help identify the most effective treatment protocol for active rhomboid trigger points.
Method: A sample of thirty participants was used, individuals comprised of males and females between the ages of 18 and 50 years that presented with inter-scapular pain with the presence of active rhomboid trigger points and who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The sample was divided into three groups: each group consisted of ten randomly allocated participants. Group 1 received spinal manipulative therapy, group 2 received laser therapy, and group 3 received a combination treatment including spinal manipulative therapy and laser therapy.
Procedure: There were a total of seven visits. Participants received a total of six treatments over a three week period. Participants received the same treatment at each visit according to their group allocation made at the initial visit. Subjective readings which included the McGill Pain Questionnaire and Numerical Pain Rating Scale, as well as objective data that included Pressure algometer readings were taken on the first, fourth and seventh visits.
Results: Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric testing. For the intragroup analysis the Friedman and Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was performed and for intergroup analysis, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used. Statistical analysis showed a statistically significant difference for...