Effects of cervical myofascial trigger points release in post-natal females: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

The aim was to investigate and compare the effectiveness of Ultrasound (US) versus a combination of US and ischemic compression (IC) technique on headache pain intensity and range of motion (ROM) of the cervical region in healthy females with myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in the cervical muscles, following normal delivery. Forty females (ages 20-35 years) with MTrPs in the muscles of the neck took part in the study. They were assigned into control group (US therapy for the MTrPs of the upper trapezius and sub-occipital muscles) and study group (IC technique on the active MTrPs of the muscles in addition to the US application). They received eight sessions for 4 weeks (2 sessions/week). All patients were evaluated before and after treatment for the intensity of radiating headache by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the universal goniometer to measure cervical ROM. Two-way mixed design MANOVA demonstrated a significant decrease (p<0.05) in headache pain intensity and a significant increase (p<0.05) in neck flexion, extension, right and left side bending, and rotation in both groups when compared to pre-treatment circumstances. Additionally, there was a significant reduction in pain intensity after treatment in the study group compared to the control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, in healthy females after normal delivery, US alone or in combination with the IC technique is effective for releasing cervical myofascial trigger points and has positive effects on radiating headache and cervical ROM. In addition, IC technique was a complement to US in reducing the severity of headache pain, but its effect on improving cervical ROM was practically but not statistically significant.

Keywords

• Trigger points; Goniometer; Ischemic compression; Ultrasound.