Abstract
Jt is hypothesised that hypertonic musculature can be treated by a variety of modalities
which include thermotherapy, adjustment, dry needling, ultrasound and interferential current. In
the present study, a sample of sixty subjects were randomly divided into three groups, the heat
group, the adjustment group and the stretching group in order to evaluate which treatment modality
was most beneficial in the short tenn management of trapezius muscle hypertonicity. Each group
contained twenty subjects, respectively. At the initial consultation, a case history, a ccrvicaJ
regional and physical examinations were performed on each subject and each subject completed an
informed consent fom1, Neck Pain and Disability Index (Vemon-Mior) questionnaire and a numerical
pain rating scale. The subjects were treated once a day for four consecutive days, and were
required to return one week after their last treatment for electromyographic recordings only.
Electromyographic recordings were taken before the commencement of the treatment and on completion
of the treatment on each day, including the follow-up.
Subjects in the heat group received heat packs followed by stretching of the trapezius musculature
bilaterally. Subjects in the adjustment group received spinal manipulative therapy to all fixations
within the ve11ebral levels of CO to TI, followed with stretching of the trapczius musculature
bilaterally. Subjects in the stretching group received stretching
of the trapezius musculature bilaterally...
M.Tech.