scholarly journals Skin Resistivity Value of Upper Trapezius Latent Trigger Points

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Elżbieta Skorupska ◽  
Jarosław Zawadziński ◽  
Agata Bednarek ◽  
Włodzimierz Samborski

Introduction. The skin resistivity (SkR) measurement is commonly recommended for acupoints measurement, but for trigger points (TrPs) only one study is available. The purpose of the study was to evaluate SkR for latent TrPs compared to non-TrPs and the surrounding tissue.Material and Methods. Forty-two healthy volunteers with unilateral latent upper trapezius TrPs (12 men, 30 women) aged 21–23 (mean age: 22.1 ± 0.6 y) participated in the study. Keithley electrometer 610B was used for measuring SkR (Ag/AgCl self-adhesive, disposable ground electrode: 30 mm diameter). SkR was measured for latent TrPs and compared to opposite non-TrPs sites and the surrounding tissue.Results. The SkR decrease of TrPs-positive sites as compared to TrPs-negative sites and the surrounding tissue was confirmed. However, no statistically significant difference in the SkR value occurred when all data were analyzed. The same was confirmed after gender division and for TrPs-positive subjects examined for referred pain and twitch response presence.Conclusion. SkR reactive changes at latent TrPs are possible but the results were not consistent with the previous study. Thus, caution in applying SkR to latent TrPs isolation is recommended and its clinical use should not be encouraged yet. Further studies, especially on active TrPs, are yet required.

Author(s):  
Hideaki Hasuo ◽  
Mariko Shimazu ◽  
Ryo Sakamoto ◽  
Hisaharu Shizuma ◽  
Miki Nakura ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Alexisomia is characterized by difficulties in the awareness and expression of somatic feelings. Trigger points are classified into two types, active and latent, according to the presence or absence of identifying spontaneous pain. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the association between alexisomia and the presence of latent trigger points (LTrPs) in the upper trapezius of healthy volunteers. METHODS: This study was designed as a cross-sectional survey. A correlation analysis between the Shitsu-Taikan-Sho Scale (STSS) and LTrPs was performed on 154 healthy volunteers. The LTrP odds ratio for healthy volunteers with alexisomia was selected as the primary endpoint. RESULTS: LTrPs were seen in the upper trapezius of 82 healthy volunteers (53.2%). There was no significant difference between the LTrP and non-LTrP groups in STSS total score (p= 0.11). However, there was a significant difference between them in STSS difficulty of identifying bodily feelings (DIB) score (p= 0.03). In the alexisomic versus non-alexisomic groups, the LTrP odds ratio for STSS total score was 2.30 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–5.10) and for STSS DIB score, 2.08 (95% CI 1.05–4.11). CONCLUSIONS: In STSS DIB in particular, alexisomia was associated with the presence of LTrP in the upper trapezius of healthy volunteers.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Putu Ayu Sita Saraswati ◽  
Ni Komang Juni Antari ◽  
Anak Agung Gede Angga Puspa Negara

ABSTRACT``Myofascial pain syndrome in upper trapezius muscle is a muscle pain that implicated by one or somemyofascial trigger points in upper trapezius muscle. Working with static position in long time stimulating the presence ofmyofascial trigger points that causing pain and movement limitation of the neck that stimulate neck disability. Physicaltherapy’s intervention for reducing pain in this case could be integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique or contractrelax stretching combined with ultrasound modality. Purpose: to compare the both interventions in reducing neckdisability of myofascial pain syndrome in upper trapezius muscle. Method: this was an experimental study withRandomized Pre and Post Test Group Design. Samples were divided into 2 treatment group that consist 12 samplesfor each group. The first group treated with integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique with ultrasound while thesecond group treated with contract relaxes stretching with ultrasound. The data was collected by measuring neck rangeof motion using goniometer at the time before and after treatment. Result: the 1st group showed that the Neck ROMincrease 5.083±1.0840 (p<0.001) and the 2nd group showed that the Neck ROM increase 3.333±0.7780(p<0.001). Itmeans there were significant effect of each treatment in both groups. The results of independent t-test showed p<0.001,so that there was significant difference of increased Neck ROM between these groups. The result of independent t-testshowed p value 0.001, so there was significant difference between two groups at increasing neck ROM. Conclusion:combination integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique is more effective than contract relax stretching to ultrasoundmodality in increasing neck range of motion of myofascial syndrome in upper trapezius muscle.Keywords: myofascial, neck disability, trapezius, INIT, ultrasound, stretching


2021 ◽  

Background and Aims: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is one of the most frequent causes of chronic musculoskeletal pain which is characterized by myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). Hence, it is of crucial importance to identify practical approaches for the treatment of these points. Upper trapezius muscle (UT) is highly susceptible to the development of MTrPs that are commonly resulted from overuse and micro-trauma. In this regard, the present study aimed to compare the effects of dry needling (DN) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) regarding the reduction of pain and muscle thickness and improvement of the range of motion (ROM) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) in patients with latent MTrPs (LTrPs) in their UT muscles. Materials and Methods: In total, 60 patients with LTrPs in UT muscle participated in this randomized clinical trial. The subjects were randomly divided into two treatment groups of DN and LLLT. The PPT was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) and algometer while ROM and muscle thickness were assessed using goniometer and ultrasonography, respectively. It should be noted that the variables were evaluated before the first and after the sixth sessions. Finally, the collected data were analyzed using independent and paired t-tests. Results: Based on the results, the VAS and muscle thickness significantly reduced, while the PPT and cervical ROM increased in both groups after treatment (P<0.001). The independent t-test revealed a statistically significant improvement in the DN group in terms of PPT (9.9-14.17, P=0.009) and ROM (37.33-42.67, p=0.005), compared to the LLLT group. Nevertheless, no significant difference was found between the two groups regarding VAS and muscle thickness variables (P>0.05). Conclusion: The DN and LLLT effectively improved symptoms in the UT muscles of patients with LTrPs. However, the DN was more effective in the improvement of ROM and PPT variables.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Barassi Giovanni ◽  
Guglielmi Vito ◽  
Della Rovere Franco ◽  
Di Iulio Antonella ◽  
Licameli Marco ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of radial shock waves in myofascial upper trapezius syndrome following the global treatment scheme of key trigger points. Materials and methods 26 patients treated with rESWT (Radial shock wave therapy) after a global postural and myofascial assessment of the patient and the identification of the key trigger points. At the end of the treatment each subject was re-evaluated through the Numerical Rating Scale - NRS and through the examination with Electronic Baropodometer. In this study, we compared the values of NRS and the values of postural biometrics before and after 2 sessions of rESWT, and a statistically significant difference (P <0.05) in all measurements emerged in the values measured with NRS. In the static percentage load, a statistically significant reduction in the percentage load differences (right / left) (P <0.05) was observed in all three evaluation moments (T0, T1, T2). The percentage and statistically significant improvement (P <0.05) were recorded at time T2 in the surface of the ellipse. Greater control of balance and greater awareness of the base of support was found in the calculation of the sway path, in particular with closed eyes. Based on this experience, the use of radial shock waves in pathologies related to myofascial pain with postural implications would be desirable.


2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 130-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyuk Ga ◽  
Ji-Ho Choi ◽  
Chang-Hae Park ◽  
Hyun-Jung Yoon

Aim To compare the efficacy of acupuncture needling and 0.5% lidocaine injection of trigger points in myofascial pain syndrome of elderly patients. Methods Thirty nine participants with myofascial pain syndrome of one or both upper trapezius muscles were randomised to treatment with either acupuncture needling (n=18) or 0.5% lidocaine injection (n=21) at all the trigger points on days 0, 7 and 14, in a single-blinded study. Pain scores, range of neck movement, pressure pain intensity and depression were measured up to four weeks from the first treatment. Results Local twitch responses were elicited at least once in 94.9% of all subjects. Both groups improved, but there was no significant difference in reduction of pain in the two groups at any time point up to one month. Overall, the range of cervical movement improved in both groups, apart from extension in the acupuncture needling group. Changes in depression showed only trends. Conclusion There was no significant difference between acupuncture needling and 0.5% lidocaine injection of trigger points for treating myofascial pain syndrome in elderly patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heba Mohammed Moselhy Al-Najjar ◽  
Amal Hassan Mohammed ◽  
Dalia Mohammed Mosaad

Abstract Background Myofascial trigger point (MTrP) plays a major role in the genesis of mechanical neck pain, which may lead to chronic disorders. The purpose of the study is to investigate and compare the effect of ice massage plus integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique (INIT) versus INIT alone on active trigger points in the upper trapezius of persons having mechanical neck pain. Forty participants diagnosed as mechanical neck pain with upper trapezius active myofascial trigger points. They were randomized into two equal groups. Group A (experimental) received ice massage for 10 min plus INIT, while group B (control) received INIT alone. The treatment program continued for 2 weeks (3 sessions/week). The outcome measures are the pain intensity, pain pressure threshold, cervical lateral side bending and neck daily functions. Results The results showed that there were significant improvements in VAS at p = .899 and F = .78, PPT at p = .288 and F = .553, cervical side bending at p = .094 and F < 0.00001, and NDI at p = .164 and F = 0.00001 in both groups, while there were no statistically significant differences between both groups as p > 0.05. Conclusion Ice massage and INIT are effective methods in managing active trigger points in the upper trapezius of persons having mechanical neck pain without statistically significant difference.


2000 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang-Zern Hong

A review is made of recent studies on myofascial trigger points (MTrP) and their mechanism is discussed. Clinical and basic science studies have shown that there are multiple MTrP loci in a MTrP region. A MTrP locus contains a sensory component (sensitive locus) and a motor component (active locus). A sensitive locus is a point from which tenderness or pain, referred pain, and local twitch response can be elicited by mechanical stimulation. Sensitive loci (probably sensitised nociceptors) are widely distributed in the whole muscle, but are concentrated in the endplate zone. An active locus is a site from which spontaneous electrical activity can be recorded. Active loci appear to be dysfunctional endplates since spontaneous electrical activity is essentially the same as the electrical activity reported by neurophysiologists as that recorded from an abnormal endplate. A MTrP is always found in a taut band which is histologically related to contraction knots caused by excessive release of acetylcholine in abnormal endplates. Both referred pain and local twitch response are mediated through spinal cord mechanisms, as demonstrated in both human and animal studies. The pathogenesis of MTrPs appears to be related to integration in the spinal cord of response to the disturbance of nerve endings and abnormal contractile mechanism at multiple dysfunctional endplates. There are many similarities between MTrPs and acupuncture points including their location and distribution, pain and referred pain patterns, local twitch responses (de qi), and possible spinal cord mechanism.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elżbieta Skorupska ◽  
Michał Rychlik ◽  
Włodzimierz Samborski

The aim of this study was to assess the validity and test-retest reliability of Thermovision Technique of Dry Needling (TTDN) for the gluteus minimus muscle. TTDN is a new thermography approach used to support trigger points (TrPs) diagnostic criteria by presence of short-term vasomotor reactions occurring in the area where TrPs refer pain.Method. Thirty chronic sciatica patients (n=15TrP-positive andn=15TrPs-negative) and 15 healthy volunteers were evaluated by TTDN three times during two consecutive days based on TrPs of the gluteus minimus muscle confirmed additionally by referred pain presence. TTDN employs average temperature (Tavr), maximum temperature (Tmax), low/high isothermal-area, and autonomic referred pain phenomenon (AURP) that reflects vasodilatation/vasoconstriction. Validity and test-retest reliability were assessed concurrently.Results. Two components of TTDN validity and reliability,Tavrand AURP, had almost perfect agreement according toκ(e.g., thigh: 0.880 and 0.938; calf: 0.902 and 0.956, resp.). The sensitivity forTavr,Tmax, AURP, and high isothermal-area was 100% for everyone, but specificity of 100% was forTavrand AURP only.Conclusion. TTDN is a valid and reliable method forTavrand AURP measurement to support TrPs diagnostic criteria for the gluteus minimus muscle when digitally evoked referred pain pattern is present.


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