Comparison Between the Effectiveness of Static Stretching and Effleurage Massage for Pain Reduction in Myofascial Neck Pain

Abstract

Myofascial neck pain is a musculoskeletal complaint that occurs due to hypersensitivity in one or more muscles. Static stretching is one of the techniques that can reduce the risk of injury. Static stretching can lengthen muscles and tendons in a fixed position, thereby increasing flexibility and relaxation, reducing spasms and decreasing pain. Effleurage massage is a massage technique with strokes to smooth and increase blood flow which can also reduce pain and spasms. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two interventions for myofascial neck pain. The research design was pre-experimental with two groups of pretest-postest design. A total of 30 female cigarette-rolling workers were sampled in this study, and they met the research criteria. Respondents received static stretching exercises with effleurage massage 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The visual Analogue Scale was used to measure the pain felt by the respondent. The results showed that both interventions in each group had an effect on reducing myofascial neck pain in cigarette rolling workers (p<0.05). The results of the comparison test of the effect of giving Static Stretching with Effleurage Massage showed a p-value of 0.00 (p <0.05), which means that H1 is accepted or there is a difference in the effect of Static Stretching and effleurage massage on reducing myofascial neck pain in cigarette rolling workers. Based on the average decrease, the group with Static Stretching had a greater effect of reduced myofascial neck pain.
 Keywords: cigarette laborer, exercise, muscle lengthening, muscle relaxation, muscle pain