Abstract
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)
Background:
Active myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle often cause neck pain, which is
commonly experienced by the general public. These trigger points can cause mild to intense
discomfort resulting in a loss of man-hours and the use of pain medication. According to
Hanten, Olsen, Butts & Nowicki (2002) a trigger point is described as a hyperirritable point
within a taut band of voluntary skeletal muscle. It is also suggested that a trigger point may be
located within muscular tissue or in associated fascia and that the point is tender on palpation.
If the trigger point is active it could elicit characteristic referred pain and autonomic symptoms.
Shockwave therapy being a relatively new technological development is said to be effective in
the treatment of trigger points and therefore neck pain (Gleitz & Horning, 2012). Chiropractic
techniques such as manipulation and soft tissue therapy are often used by chiropractors in the
treatment of these trigger points to relieve muscle spasm and to decrease pain. However, soft
tissue therapies are time consuming, whereas Shockwave therapy is a relatively simple
procedure that can be administered for a short period of time.
Aim:
The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of a treatment protocol that included
chiropractic manipulation and ischaemic compression against an alternative treatment protocol
that involved chiropractic manipulation and Shockwave therapy. Both protocols were carried
out on a target group that had active myofascial trigger points of the upper trapezius muscles.
Method:
A selection of 30 participants between the ages of 18 and 50 were recruited for this study, all of
which presented with myofascial neck pain caused by active myofascial trapezius trigger
points. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups, with each group containing 15
participants. Group 1 received chiropractic manipulative therapy to their cervical spine and
upper thoracic spine as well as ischaemic compression to the active myofascial trapezius
trigger points. Group 2 received chiropractic manipulative therapy to their cervical spine and...