A Comparative Study between Muscle Energy Technique and Myofascial Release Therapy on Myofascial Trigger Points in Upper Fibres of Trapezius

Background: Neck Pain is very commonly shown by most people to be in the region of the back of the neck and between the bases of the neck to the shoulder, primarily indicating the upper region of the trapezius muscle. About two thirds of people will experience neck pain at some point in their lives. Prevalence is highest in middle age, with women being affected more than men. The prevalence of neck pain varies widely between studies, with a mean point prevalence of 13 % (range 5.9 - 38.7 %) and mean lifetime prevalence of 50 % (range 14.2 - 71.0 %). In some industries neck related disorders account for as many days of absenteeism as low back pain.

The myofascial trigger points have been described as a hyperirritable spot, usually within a taut band of skeletal muscles or in the muscles fascia. The spot is painful on compression and can give rise to characteristics referred pain, tenderness and autonomic phenomenon. Myofascial release is a soft tissue mobilization technique, defined as "the facilitation of mechanical, neural and psycho physiological adaptive potential as interfaced via the myofacial system.

Myofascial release which eliminates the fascia's excessive pressure on the pain sensitive structure and restores proper alignment. Hence this technique is proposed to act as a catalyst in the resolution of trapezius spasm.

Muscle energy technique (MET) are manipulative procedures are designed to lengthen muscle and fascia and to mobilize joints. Because principles of neuromuscular inhibition are incorporated into this approach, another term to describe these techniques is "post-isometric relaxation".

Objectives : To compare the efficacy of Muscle energy techniques and Myofascial release therapy on myofascial trigger points in upper fibres of trapezius.

Methods: Study included 52 (Fifty-Two) subjects with myofascial trigger points on upper fibres of trapezius. The subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups: Group A and Group B. Muscle Energy Technique ware given for Group A patients and Myofascial release therapy ware given for Group B patients. The subjects were treated for a period of 6 days a week, Once in a day. Pain was assessed by VAS score, Neck Disability by NDI score and Pain Threshold by PPT score.

Results: There is statistically significant difference in terms of the VAS, PPT, NDI score. The myofascial release group showed better decrease in pain, disability and increase in pain threshold.

Conclusion: Myofascial release proving better than the muscle energy techniques on myofascial trigger points of upper fibres of trapezius.