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An immediate effect of myofascial release therapy and combined approach on myofascial trigger points in upper fibres of trapezius: A comparative study

Meena Gupta, Meghna Negi, Sudha Yesentarao

Background: Neck pain is considered as an idiopathic condition but there are also various causes that may lead to a neck pain due to the muscle tightness, spasms, presence of trigger points and etc.

Due to this Covid-19 pandemic the IT professionals have to do their office work at a desk or the computer and spend their many hours with the same head posture which is a very common source of tension and neck pain. Bad postures also include the awkward head position while watching the television or using a thick pillow it may also lead to a neck pain.

Muscle energy technique, it is a kind of manual technique which involves soft tissue mobilization. This technique required patients own energy or efforts in the form of gentle isometric contraction to relax the tight muscle and promote the lengthening.

Myofascial release is a manual therapy; it is a type of rehabilitation tool. It is a hands-on therapy which means therapist use his/her manual power and apply sufficient amount of power into and onto the patient body.

Objective: To compare the efficacy Myofascial release therapy alone and combination of muscle energy technique and passive stretching and to find its immediate effect on myofascial trigger points in upper fibres of trapezius in terms of visual analogue scale, neck disability index NDI, and goniometery.

Methods: 20 subjects participated in this study of both sexes in age groups of 20-50 years were divided into two groups, group A and group B by simple random sampling method. Group-A: Combined Approach [Muscle Energy Technique + Passive Stretching] and Group B: Myofascial Release therapy.

VAS, NDI, cervical lateral flexion – goniometry were taken as Outcome measures. Subjects were assessed prior to the treatment, immediately after the treatment post readings were taken to see the carry over effect of treatment.

Results: MFR is more effective to improve pain, then compared to combined approach and combined approach is more effective in increasing range of motion.