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ABSTRACT
Background and Purpose of The Study: A myofascial trigger point has been described as a hyperirritable spot, usually within a taut band of skeletal muscles or in the muscles fascia. The myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius is most commonly found at the midpoint of the upper boarder of the muscle.
The objective of the study is to determine the effectiveness of ischemic compression for the treatment of myofascial trigger points in upper trapezius.
Method: 30 subjects were randomly assigned to either treatment group (group 1) or a control group (group 2). Subjects in group 1 received ischemic compression on the primary trigger point followed by stretching of the upper trapezius muscle. Subjects in group 2 received active neck exercise followed by stretching. All the patients of group 1 and 2 received treatment for 7 days. Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) measured by pressure algometer was used to measure trigger point sensitivity and Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) was scored as a measure of pain intensity on day 1 and day 8 in both the groups.
Results: In the treatment group (group 1) significant improvement was evident in the pressure pain threshold values (t=7.02, p<0.05), however no such improvement was found in the control group (group 2). Comparison between the two groups also showed significant difference in the pressure pain threshold measurement.
Significant improvement was noted in the visual analogue scale score of group 1 (T=120, p<0.001) and group 2 (T= 66, p<0.001) both; however greater improvement was noted in treatment group (group 1).
Conclusion: Ischemic compression technique is highly effective in reducing the trigger point sensitivity and pain intensity in the trapezius muscle.
Keywords: Ischemic Compression, Upper Trapezius, Trigger Point.
INTRODUCTION
Neck pain is very commonly shown by most people to be in the region of the back of the neck and between the bases of the neck to the shoulder, primarily indicating the region of the trapezius muscle1. About two thirds of people will experience neck pain at some time2,3 Prevalence is highest in middle age with women being affected more the men. The prevalence of neck pain varies widely between studies, with mean point prevalence of 13% (range 5.9-38.7%) and mean lifetime prevalence of 50% (range 14.2 - 71.0%). In some...