A Comparative Study on the Effects of Trigger Point Release vs Myofascial Release for Myofascial Trigger Points of Upper Trapezius in Smartphone Users

Abstract

Background/aim: The increasing use of smartphone in daily life has brought about numerous musculoskeletal problems. Impairments in the neck is the most common when compared to other parts of the body. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two different manual treatment techniques in two separate groups, i.e., trigger point release and Myofascial release (MFR) on the trigger points (TrPs) in the upper trapezius muscle in smartphone users. Both group received Ultrasound therapy. The smartphone addiction scale -short version was administered to all participants to determine the level of addiction and those who scores were high were included in the study. The set criteria in the study included the pain intensity on the visual analogue scale (VAS) neck disability using the Neck Disability Index and Cervical Range of motion side flexion using cervical goniometer. Subjects and methods: This clinical trial study assessed the outcome measures within and between groups before, after the intervention and a follow up was done after 15 days. The target population were smartphone users between the age group of 18 to 35 years. 106 subjects (48 males, 53 females) participants who had been selected from among the eligible participants of 176 and who had TrPs in their upper trapezius muscle. Results: The effect of Trigger point release and Myofascial release on patients of each groups with TrPs in the upper trapezius muscle resulted in increased cervical lateral flexion (P < 0.001), decreased pain intensity on VAS (P < 0.001) and decreased decrease in Neck disability (P < 0.001) within the groups and between the group there was no significance. Conclusion: Both manual techniques Trigger point release and Myofascial release reduced the symptoms of TrPs in the upper trapezius in both the groups equally, neither technique being superior to the other.