Abstract
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)
Purpose: The trapezius muscle is thought to be the muscle most commonly
associated with the presence of active myofascial trigger points (MFTP’s). Studies of
the trapezius muscle clearly show that muscular activity significantly increases in
response to psychological stress. Cervical spine manipulation has been proven to be
highly effective in the treatment of active MFTP’s and muscular tension. Progressive
muscle relaxation (PMR) therapy is frequently utilized as a relaxation technique in
subjects complaining of increased levels of muscular tension, possibly due to an
increased perception of psychological stress. Although cervical spine manipulation
alone is effective in the treatment of active MFTP’s and muscular tension,
chiropractors often search for adjunctive therapies to improve current treatment
protocols. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the combination of
cervical spine manipulation and PMR therapy is a more efficient, and possibly
effective, treatment protocol for active MFTP’s of the trapezius muscle.
Method: This study was a comparative study and consisted of two groups of fifteen
participants each. All participants were between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five
years of age, with a male to female ratio of 1:1. Potential participants were examined
and accepted according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Group A received
chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy of the cervical spine. Group B was the
combination group and therefore received chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy of
the cervical spine together with the application of PMR therapy. Subjective
measurements consisted of a Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) Questionnaire, Visual
Analog Pain Scale (VAS) and the Vernon-Mior Neck Pain and Disability Index
Questionnaire. Objective measurements consisted of pressure pain threshold
algometry readings taken from active trigger points one (TP1) and/or trigger point
two (TP2) on the right and/or left side of the upper trapezius muscle.