Masaje de fricción transversal. Una alternativa terapéutica para el tratamiento del síndrome de dolor miofascial

Abstract

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is thought by some authors to be the main cause of headache and neck pain. Presence of Myofascial Trigger Point (MTrP) in many pathologies provoke the necessity of many researches about physical therapy treatment in this entity. Nowadays, there are a lot of therapeutically techniques about the MTrP's treatment: manual therapy (ischemic compression, strain/counterstrain, massage, muscle energy techniques, etc.), TENS, láser, ultrasound, superficial heat therapy, etc. However, we can see that the transverse friction massage, many times using in tendinopathies treatment, has not been applied in MTrP's treatment. ObjectiveThe aim of this series cases is to evaluate the immediate effectiveness of one session of the transverse friction massage technique in the management of MPS. Material and Methods10 volunteer patients diagnose of MTrP in the trapezius muscle's upper fibres according to Travell and Simons criteria. Patients received one session of transverse friction massage technique. Sessions had a duration of 3 minutes. There were analyzed the Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT), the visual analogue scale (VAS)and the evocation of referred pain during the application of the technique. Pre treatment and post–treatment data were collected. ResultsThe results show immediate statistically significant improvement (p = 0,001) on PPT. Analysing VAS we found that the application of the transverse friction massage is painful to the patients (VAS = 6,3). ConclusionsThe results show that this technique is effective; however is so painful for the patient. The few existence of randomized controlled trials that analyze the physical therapy effects in the treatment of MTrP, and the difference in the methodology application of the techniques, it make so difficult to draw a comparison between the results obtained. Nowadays there are different techniques that have being used in the MPS's treatment that have not been scientifically studied.