Abstract
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)
Myofascial trigger points are very common and can become a painful part of
most people’s life at one time or another. According to Travell and Simons (1999), active
upper trapezius myofascial trigger points are common in patients presenting with neck
pain. Myofascial pain syndrome is a regional muscle disorder that is one of the most
common causes of persistent pain in the head, face and neck regions (Rachlin, 2002).
The PAIN®GONE pen is a device that produces a high voltage, low frequency pulse for
only a brief period of time. The electrical stimulation activates endorphins in the
hypothalamus which plays a role in pain relief (Puskas, 2004). The technical system of the
device is clinically proven and uses Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS),
based on the pain gate control theory of Melzack and Wall (1965). The purpose of this
study was to determine the efficacy of treating active upper trapezius trigger points with
PAIN®GONE therapy combined with cervical spine chiropractic adjustments.This study consisted of two groups, the PAIN®GONE therapy group (Group 1)
with fifteen participants and the placebo PAIN®GONE therapy group (Group 2) with fifteen
participants. The participants were between the ages of 18 and 40 years of age. Prior to
becoming a participant of this study, individuals were assessed according to the
inclusion and exclusion criteria, a case history, physical examination, cervical regional
examination and upper trapezius muscle palpation to assess for upper trapezius
myofascial trigger points. Treatment was applied to the cervical spine by Chiropractic
adjustments, and to the upper active trapezius myofascial trigger points via PAIN®GONE
therapy or placebo PAIN®GONE therapy, from which the subjective and objective data
were based.Each participant was treated six times over a period of three weeks. Prior to
the initiation of treatment, each participant was requested to complete a Vernon-Mior Neck
Pain and Disability Index questionnaire and Numerical Pain Rating Scale. Algometer
readings were obtained for the active upper trapezius myofascial trigger points. The
Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) goniometer was used to obtain numerical values for the
participant’s active cervical spine ranges of motion in flexion, extension, lateral flexion androtation. Both groups, received treatment to the active upper trapezius trigger points and
Chiropractic adjustments to the cervical spine for a total of six treatment sessions. Both
subjective and objective data readings were obtained before the 1st, 4th and 7th
final consultation...