Treatment of ?Myofascial? Neck Pain?Stretch, Ultrasound or Inject?

Treatment of ?Myofascial? Neck Pain?Stretch, Ultrasound or Inject?

Reference:Esenyel M, Caglar N, Aldemir T. Treatment of myofascial pain. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2000; 79(1):48-52

The study population included 102 patients who had myofascial trigger points in one side of the upper trapezius muscle

Patients were randomly assigned to one of the three groups:
Group 1: Received Ultrasound and neck stretching exercises
Group 2: Received Trigger Point injections and neck stretching exercises

Group 3: (the control group) Received neck stretching exercises only

Result:Following 4 weeks, compared with the control group, patients in groups 1 and 2 had statistically significant reductions in subjective pain intensity, increases in pressure pain threshold (less tenderness) and increases in ROM.

Study Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference between the Ultrasound therapy group and the Injection group outcomes.

Study Conclusion #2: Although not statistically significant, patients in the control group had better results at the 3-month follow up.

Personal Comment:In the long term, teaching patients with true myofascial neck pain appropriate neck stretches and ROM exercises is more valuable than ultrasound or injections on their own.

Posted on: February 12, 2002

Categories: Cervical Spine