Electromyographic Activity Evolution of Local Twitch Responses During Dry Needling of Latent Trigger Points in the Gastrocnemius Muscle: A Cross-Sectional Study

Pain Medicine ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 1224-1229
Author(s):  
Luis Baraja-Vegas ◽  
Saúl Martín-Rodríguez ◽  
Francisco Piqueras-Sanchiz ◽  
Julio Martín-Ruiz ◽  
Mireia Yeste Fabregat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastrocnemius Muscle ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Peak Amplitude ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Dry Needling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Gastrocnemius Medialis

Abstract Objective Trigger points (TrPs) are hypersensitive spots within taut bands of skeletal muscles that elicit referred pain and motor changes. Among the variety of techniques used for treating TrPs, dry needling is one of the most commonly applied interventions. The question of eliciting local twitch responses (LTRs) during TrP dry needling is unclear. Our main aim was to investigate the evolution of the electromyographic (EMG) peak activity of each LTR elicited during dry needling into latent TrPs of the gastrocnemius medialis muscle. Methods Twenty asymptomatic subjects with latent TrPs in the gastrocnemius medialis muscle participated in this cross-sectional study. Changes in EMG signal amplitude (root mean square [RMS]) with superficial EMG were assessed five minutes before, during, and five minutes after dry needling. The peak RMS score of each LTR was calculated (every 0.5 sec). Results Analysis of variance revealed a significant effect (F = 29.069, P <0.001) showing a significant decrease of RMS peak amplitude after each subsequent LTR. Differences were significant (P <0.001) during the first three LTRs, and stable until the end of the procedure. No changes (P =0.958) were found for mean RMS data at rest before (mean = 65.2 mv, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 47.3–83.1) and after (61.0 mv, 95% CI = 42.3–79.7) dry needling. Conclusions We found that, in a series of LTRs elicited during the application of dry needling over latent TrPs in the medial gastrocnemius muscle, the RMS peak amplitude of each subsequent LTR decreased as compared with the initial RMS peak amplitude of previous LTRs. No changes in superficial EMG activity at rest were observed after dry needling of latent TrPs of the gastrocnemius medialis muscle.

scholarly journals Effects of Dry Needling of Latent Trigger Points on Viscoelastic and Muscular Contractile Properties: Preliminary Results of a Randomized Within-Participant Clinical Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (17) ◽  
pp. 3848
Author(s):  
Albert Pérez-Bellmunt ◽  
Oriol Casasayas-Cos ◽  
Carlos López-de-Celis ◽  
Jacobo Rodríguez-Sanz ◽  
Jorge Rodríguez-Jiménez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Pain Sensitivity ◽  
Gastrocnemius Muscle ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Neuromuscular Function ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Single Session ◽  
Dry Needling ◽  
Pressure Pain

This study aimed to evaluate changes in neuromuscular function and pain perception in latent trigger points (TrPs) in the gastrocnemius muscle after a single session of dry needling. A randomized within-participant clinical trial was conducted. Fifty volunteers with latent TrPs in the gastrocnemius muscles were explored. Each extremity was randomly assigned to a control or experimental (dry needling) group. Viscoelastic parameters and contractile properties were analyzed by tensiomyography. Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion was assessed with the lunge test. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) and pain perceived were also analyzed. The results observed that three viscoelastic proprieties (myotonometry) showed significant differences in favor of the experimental extremity in the lateral gastrocnemius: stiffness (p = 0.02), relaxation (p = 0.045), and creep (p = 0.03), but not in the medial gastrocnemius. No changes in tensiomyography outcomes were found. The control extremity showed a higher increase in PPTs (i.e., decrease in pressure pain sensitivity) than the experimental extremity (p = 0.03). No significant effects for range of motion or strength were observed. In general, gender did not influence the effects of dry needling over latent TrPs in the gastrocnemius muscle. In conclusion, a single session of dry needling was able to change some parameters of neuromuscular function, such as muscle tone, relaxation, pressure pain sensitivity, and creep in the lateral (but not medial) gastrocnemius but did not improve strength or range of motion.

scholarly journals Dry needling of the gastrocnemius muscle. Overlap between trigger point area and the presence of blood vessels

2019 ◽  
Vol 02 (02) ◽  
pp. 063-063
Author(s):  
Velasco Fernández P. ◽  
Valera Garrido F.
Keyword(s):  
Blood Vessels ◽  
Gastrocnemius Muscle ◽  
Trigger Point ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Dry Needling ◽  
Lateral Gastrocnemius ◽  
Myofascial Trigger Points ◽  
Gastrocnemius Muscles ◽  
Venous Pattern

Abstract Aims To evaluate the anatomic variability of the gastrocnemius venous system using ultrasound and the overlap of the same with myofascial trigger points (MTrPs 1 and 2) clinically located in this muscle. Material and Methods In total, 82 legs of 41 healthy adults were studied, belonging to 26 men and 15 women aged between 22 and 50 years. The blood vessels located below MTrP1 and MTrP2, described by Travell and Simons were observed, and each image was analyzed by sectors (medial, central and lateral) to quantify the number of blood vessels, their distribution and overlap with the MTrPs described at this level. Results Examination of the 164 heads of 82 gastrocnemius muscles revealed that at least one vessel exists for each section analyzed. The number of veins per head varied between 1 and 8. The most common pattern in the medial gastrocnemius was three vessels (41.5%) and two vessels (49%) in the lateral gastrocnemius. In 100% of the cases the localization of the veins coincided with the clinical localization of the MTrPs. Conclusions The venous pattern of the proximal gastrocnemius is highly variable among subjects regarding the number of blood vessels and their distribution. There is a complete overlap between the clinical localization of the gastrocnemius MTrPs and the presence of blood vessels.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Lower Limb Muscle Electromyographic Activity during 400 m Indoor Sprinting among Elite Female Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (24) ◽  
pp. 13177
Author(s):  
Przemysław Pietraszewski ◽  
Artur Gołaś ◽  
Michał Krzysztofik ◽  
Marta Śrutwa ◽  
Adam Zając
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Gluteus Maximus ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Gastrocnemius Medialis ◽  
Lower Limb Muscles ◽  
Semg Signals

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to analyze changes in normalized surface electromyography (sEMG) signals for the gastrocnemius medialis, biceps femoris, gluteus maximus, tibialis anterior, and vastus lateralis muscles occurring during a 400 m indoor sprint between subsequent curved sections of the track. Ten well-trained female sprinters (age: 21 ± 4 years; body mass: 47 ± 5 kg; body height: 161 ± 7 cm; 400 m personal best: 52.4 ± 1.1 s) performed an all-out 400 m indoor sprint. Normalized sEMG signals were recorded bilaterally from the selected lower limb muscles. The two-way ANOVA (curve × side) revealed no statistically significant interaction. However, the main effect analysis showed that normalized sEMG signals significantly increased in subsequent curves run for all the studied muscles: gastrocnemius medialis (p = 0.003), biceps femoris (p < 0.0001), gluteus maximus (p = 0.044), tibialis anterior (p = 0.001), and vastus lateralis (p = 0.023), but differences between limbs were significant only for the gastrocnemius medialis (p = 0.012). The results suggest that the normalized sEMG signals for the lower limb muscles increased in successive curves during the 400 m indoor sprint. Moreover, the gastrocnemius medialis of the inner leg is highly activated while running curves; therefore, it should be properly prepared for high demands, and attention should be paid to the possibility of the occurrence of a negative adaptation, such as asymmetries.

Electromyographic Comparison of Lips and Jaw Muscles between Children With Competent and Incompetent Lips: A Cross Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 283-288
Author(s):  
María Alejandra Lipari ◽  
Gisela Pimentel ◽  
Natalia Andrea Gamboa ◽  
Isidora Bayas ◽  
Nicole Guerrero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Emg ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Similar Activity ◽  
Anterior Teeth ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Anterior Temporalis

Objective: This cross-sectional study evaluates the electromyographic (EMG) activity of lips and anterior temporalis muscles of children with competent or incompetent lips. Study design: Forty children were classified clinically according to their lip competence into two groups of 20 each: 1) competent lips group (CLG), and 2) incompetent lips group (ILG). Surface EMG activity of the superior orbicularis oris (SOO), inferior orbicularis oris (IOO), and anterior temporalis (AT) muscles was recorded with the children seated in the upright position during the following tasks: 1) at rest; 2) speaking; 3) swallowing; 4) puffing out the cheeks. Results: ILG showed lower EMG activity than CLG in the SOO and IOO muscles at rest, similar activity in both muscles during speaking, similar activity in the SOO muscle and lower in the IOO during swallowing. ILG showed significantly higher activity than CLG in both muscles while puffing out the cheeks. In the AT muscle, ILG showed lower activity than CLG at rest, during speaking and swallowing, whereas activity was similar while puffing out the cheeks. Conclusion: The difference in EMG activity recorded in children with incompetent lips and with competent lips suggests that the status of their musculature could affect the position and stability of their upper/lower anterior teeth.

Latent trigger points in lower limb muscles in sedentary and athletic subjects. A cross-sectional study on prevalence

Physiotherapy ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 102 ◽  
pp. e209-e210
Author(s):  
A. Gomez-Conesa ◽  
J.C. Zuil-Escobar ◽  
C.B. Martínez-Cepa ◽  
J.A. Martín-Urrialde
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lower Limb Muscles ◽  
Limb Muscles

scholarly journals Prevalence of Myofascial Trigger Points in Poststroke Patients With Painful Shoulders: A Cross‐Sectional Study

PM&R ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1077-1082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge H. Villafañe ◽  
Maria P. Lopez‐Royo ◽  
Pablo Herrero ◽  
Kristin Valdes ◽  
Raquel Cantero‐Téllez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trigger Points ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Myofascial Trigger Points

scholarly journals The Relationship Between The Body Mass Index and The Pain Threshold in Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Cross-sectional Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (01) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Agung ◽  
Nyoman Murdana ◽  
Herdiman Purba
Keyword(s):  
Pain Threshold ◽  
Myofascial Pain ◽  
Pain Syndrome ◽  
Myofascial Pain Syndrome ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The Body ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Relationship

Introduction: The obesity on the myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) was reduced the pain thresholds, leads todecreasing of physical functioning and quality of life. The obese group was more sensitive to pain due to the proinflammatorycondition. This study aimed to examined the relationship between the Body Mass Index (BMI)and the pain threshold in MPS patients.Methods and Materials: This study was a cross-sectional study, conducted in an outpatient clinic of MedicalRehabilitation Department of Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta. The subjects recruited consecutively.The pain intensity was assessed subjectively by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score from 0 to 10. Thenumber of the trigger points (TP) were examined palpation manually. The pain threshold was evaluated by thealgometer (Kg) on the upper trapezius muscles.Results: The study has recruited 30 patients, aged 40,5 (20-54). The BMI was 24.97 ± 3.39 Kg/M2. The VASscore was 6 (5-8). The number of the TP was 5.83 ± 1.74. The pain threshold was 2.48 ± 0.52 Kg/ cm2. Most ofthe subjects have overweight (20%) and obesity (47%). There was no correlation between the BMI with the painintensity (r=-0.076, p=0.689), with the number of trigger points (r=0.256, p=0.171) and with the pain threshold(r=0.189, p=0.316).Conclusions: Therefore the BMI was not related to the pain intensity, the number of trigger points as wellas with the threshold of pain in the MPS patients. However, the number of the TP tends to increase, and thethreshold of pain has the tendency to reduced in the obese subjects.Keywords: Obesity; Myofascial Pain Syndrome; VAS; Pain Threshold

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