Tratamiento del síndrome de dolor miofascial en una paciente diagnosticada de cefalea tensional: a propósito de un caso

Abstract

IntroductionTension headache has an important prevalence and a strong socioeconomic impact. It is considered a myofascial pain syndrome. The treatment of myofascial pain syndrome in the posterior cervical and cranial muscles can be an alternative to pharmacological treatment in the management of tension headache. ObjectiveTo describe the presence of myofascial pain syndrome in a patient diagnosed with tension headache, as well as determine the effectiveness of a physiotherapeutic treatment. Materials and methodsA 60-year-old woman diagnosed with tension headache. The patient presented a condition of oppressive bilateral headache, as well as neck pain and stiffness. Twenty-three muscles were scanned from the cranio-cervical and scapular area to diagnose myofascial pain syndrome and to treat the trigger points through dry needling and Dejung's technique. Cervical joint range of motion was measured by goniometry and headache was assessed with the visual analogue scale for pain. ResultsThe diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome was confirmed by the presence of 8 active myofascial trigger points. The results showed a relevant clinical improvement in the pain intensity variable, with a reduction of more than 25% in all measurements except in the third one. This improvement was maintained 2 weeks after the treatment. At the end of the intervention, the pain remitted, all the active and latent initial trigger points disappeared, and the last degrees of ROM were recovered for left cervical rotation and tilt. ConclusionsThe diagnosis and approach of myofascial pain syndrome should be considered in patients with tension headache.