Indian Journal of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy-An International Journal

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Latent Trigger Point Therapy for Smartphone Users


Affiliations
1 The Oxford College of Physiotherapy, Begur Road, Hogasandra, Bangalore, India
2 Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Sports, The Oxford College of Physiotherapy, Bangalore, India
     

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Multi-touch smartphones are used for a wide variety of tasks, including accessing the Internet, social media, etc. Trigger points (TrPs), causes referred pain in characteristic areas for hand and forearm muscles. Latent TrPs cause stiffness and limitation of ROM but no pain. Self Myofascial release (SMFR) is a simple and effective technique in which the therapy is done by the patient themselves often using a tool. Objectives: To find out the effectiveness of Self Myofascial Release therapy and Educational booklet among college students with latent trigger points. Methodology: 120 subjects, male and female having latent TrPs with mean age 22.3 (±2.36), fulfilling the selection criteria were included. Subjects were examined to find out latent trigger point PPT with help of Pressure Algometer on muscles of hand. Subjects were instructed SMFR therapy via tennis ball (2 mins, twice a day for 2 weeks) on the affected muscles. Post test examination of PPT was taken. Result: The mean age was calculated to be 22.3 (±2.36) were analyzed. Right hand Adductor Pollicis muscle and Left hand 1st dorsal interrosei muscle was found to be most affected (p < .00001) and Opponens pollicis on both sides were least affected. Educational booklet was given for creating awareness and was found to be helpful. Conclusion: Smartphones with greater dimensions promotes predominant usage of thumb while typing. SMFR and Educational booklet appears to be effective in reducing pain and addictive behaviour among Smartphone users.

Keywords

Myofascial Release, Latent Trigger Points, Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT).
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  • Latent Trigger Point Therapy for Smartphone Users

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Authors

Namrata Mehta
The Oxford College of Physiotherapy, Begur Road, Hogasandra, Bangalore, India
R. V. Vijayakumar
Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Sports, The Oxford College of Physiotherapy, Bangalore, India

Abstract


Multi-touch smartphones are used for a wide variety of tasks, including accessing the Internet, social media, etc. Trigger points (TrPs), causes referred pain in characteristic areas for hand and forearm muscles. Latent TrPs cause stiffness and limitation of ROM but no pain. Self Myofascial release (SMFR) is a simple and effective technique in which the therapy is done by the patient themselves often using a tool. Objectives: To find out the effectiveness of Self Myofascial Release therapy and Educational booklet among college students with latent trigger points. Methodology: 120 subjects, male and female having latent TrPs with mean age 22.3 (±2.36), fulfilling the selection criteria were included. Subjects were examined to find out latent trigger point PPT with help of Pressure Algometer on muscles of hand. Subjects were instructed SMFR therapy via tennis ball (2 mins, twice a day for 2 weeks) on the affected muscles. Post test examination of PPT was taken. Result: The mean age was calculated to be 22.3 (±2.36) were analyzed. Right hand Adductor Pollicis muscle and Left hand 1st dorsal interrosei muscle was found to be most affected (p < .00001) and Opponens pollicis on both sides were least affected. Educational booklet was given for creating awareness and was found to be helpful. Conclusion: Smartphones with greater dimensions promotes predominant usage of thumb while typing. SMFR and Educational booklet appears to be effective in reducing pain and addictive behaviour among Smartphone users.

Keywords


Myofascial Release, Latent Trigger Points, Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT).

References