Effects of Pressure Release of Myofascial Trigger Points on Mechanical Neck Pain.

Effects of Pressure Release of Myofascial Trigger Points on Mechanical Neck Pain. Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial.

The study aims to compare the effectiveness of myofascial trigger point treatment using pressure release versus a control group in patients with mechanical neck pain, randomly assigned. In both groups a protocol of therapeutic exercise and postural correction will be carried out

With the present investigation it is wondered whether the choice of manual therapy techniques, specifically the pressure release of myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles, provide significant benefits in combination with therapeutic exercise and postural hygiene (treatment group), as opposed to the unique application of therapeutic exercise and postural hygiene (control group), thus constituting a treatment of choice in patients with mechanical neck pain.

A treatment protocol of one session per week will be carried out, and a follow-up two weeks after the end of the treatment protocol.

If, as postulated, pressure release is more effective than the treatment received by the control group, the choice of this type of technique for myofascial pain syndrome would benefit a high percentage of people who often come asking for treatment in pain treatment centers. Pressure release provides a painless manual stimulus, thus effectively resolving the symptomatology of myofascial trigger points without the need for invasive treatments or medication, which may have more contraindications.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects between 18 and 55 years of age in order to avoid degenerative phenomena.
• Have suffered from neck pain at least once in the last month.
• Active or latent myofascial trigger points in the Upper Trapezius and Sternocleidomastoid muscles.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with recent trauma (last 6 months) to the upper quadrant or spine.
• Patients with pathologies involving malignant neoplasms.
• Surgery on the trunk or upper limb in the last six months.
• Patients undergoing pharmacological or physiotherapy treatment at the time of the test.
• Pregnancy.
• No myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius or sternocleidomastoid muscles.
• Refusal to sign the consent form for the study or not being able to do so.