Pain Inhibitory Effects of Other Pain Induced by Mechanical Pressure Compared to Electrical Stimulation and Cold Water.

Conditioned Pain Modulation Induced by Mechanical Stimulation: A Mechanism of Manual Therapy Analgesia - Study 1

The objective is to estimate the effects on pain thresholds of a painful mechanical stimulus on the upper trapezius compared to a painful electrical stimulus and a diffuse noxious stimulus using the cold water hand immersion test.

The mechanical stimulus produced in manual therapy (MT) techniques elicits neurophysiological responses within the peripheral and central nervous system responsible for pain inhibition. Almost all types of MT elicit a neurophysiological response that is associated with the descending pain modulation circuit. But it has not been demonstrated whether this inhibition occurs through a conditioned pain modulation mechanism induced by painful mechanical stimulation that is carried out with manual therapy techniques.

Inclusion Criteria:

• healthy male or female between 18 and 65 years
• Free of pain and with no history of chronic pain

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant or having given birth within the last year