Immediate effects of positional release therapy and manual trigger point release on neck pain and range of motion in computer users with upper trapezitis

Background/Objective

The intent of the current study was to compare the immediate effects of positional release therapy (PRT) and manual trigger point release (MTpR) on neck range of motion and pain in upper trapezitis.

Materials and Methods

Sixty participants with upper trapezius myofascial trigger points (MTrPs)' participated in this study. Subjects were randomly classified into two groups (30 in each group): the subjects in Group A received PRT in a shortened position while those in Group B received MTpR in the neutral position for the upper trapezius muscle. They received four therapy sessions every day for four days. The pain intensity and range of motion were measured using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and cervical range of motion (CROM), respectively, before treatment sessions and repeated immediately after the first and fourth treatment sessions in each group till the last day of their interventions.

Results

Paired and unpaired t-Test was used for the data analysis. Pre- and postinterventional effects measured on each day and between groups, revealed that CROM and NPRS values were significantly improved in (MTpR) group (CROM, and NPRS P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Both groups (PRT and MTpR) showed an increase in range of motion on CROM and a decrease in pain intensity on the NPRS during four sessions of therapy, but MTpR showed to be more effectual in these participants.

Migraine responds better to a combination of medical therapy and trigger point management than routine medical therapy alone

BACKGROUND

Migraine is one of the most frequent headaches. Cervical myofascial and trigger point disorders are effective factors on accession of this type of headache. PRT is an indirect technique that treats trigger points.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of trigger points' management by positional release therapy (PRT) combined with routine medical therapy and routine medical therapy alone in treatment of migraine headache.

METHODS

Forty-four patients with active trigger points in cervical muscles entered to the study. They were randomly assigned to PRT-medical therapy or medical therapy group. Headache frequency, intensity, duration and tablet count were recorded by use of a daily headache diary. The sensitivity of trigger points was assessed by the use of a digital force gauge (Wagner-FDIX). Cervical range of motion was measured by a goniometer.

RESULTS

Both groups showed significant reduction in headache intensity, frequency, duration and tablet count after 4 months follow up. The sensitivity of trigger points and all cervical range of motions significantly increased in PRT-medical group after 4 months follow up; however in medication group except cervical right lateral flexion, right and left rotation the other factors showed no change after 4 months follow up. In comparison of the two study groups, there was no significant difference in headache-related variables. Apart from the headache intensity and tablet count, the trends of other factors were significantly different between the two groups (p <  0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The combined PRT-medical therapy is more effective than the medical therapy alone. Thus, the combination of PRT and medical therapy is suggested as a treatment choice for patients with migraine headache.

Trapezius upper portion trigger points treatment purpose in positional release therapy with electromyographic analysis

BACKGROUND

This quantification process is made through electromyography analysis. This technique of analysis is able to provide a general view of the tension decrease in the superior muscle fibers of the trapezius after therapy.

AIMS

The focus of the present work is to evaluate the treatment of the cervicobrachialgia by Positional Release Therapy (PRT).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The present work studies six patients, with ages 44 to 63 (1 male and 5 female) who present tension in the trapezius upper portion fibers. All patients were submitted to 10 session of 30 minutes each. The electromyography was collected on the first and tenth day of treatment.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated a progressive decrease of pain in each session. The tension was evaluated by the electromyography analysis, which showed the relations between time of treatment and less pain.

CONCLUSION

With these results, it was possible to verify quantitatively the efficiency of the PRT in the improvement of life quality.