To Investigate how Myofascial Trigger Point Release in the Upper Trapezius Muscle Affects Patients with Chronic shoulder Periarthritis and Causes Neck Disability

Abstract

Background
Adhesive capsulitis is a condition in which the shoulder becomes painful to move and movement is often restricted. Trigger points cause weakness and easy fatigue in muscles with 95% of patients, having trigger points in the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis and other scapular muscles. Trigger points in the neck also produce radiating pain to other areas.
Objective
To investigate whether physical therapy techniques to inactivate myofascial trigger points can reduce symptoms and improve shoulder and neck function in daily activities in the population of chronic periarthris shoulder patients.
Materials and Methods
All 10 eligible patients both male and female were informed about the study; consent was taken from the willingly participating patients. Baseline assessments were done which included a range of motion of neck and shoulder, pain intensity and neck disability index. Treatment starting with inactivation of the active myofascial trigger points by manual techniques employing compression technique combined with an intermittent cold application by using ice-cubes followed by myofascial release, friction massage and stretching the muscle daily for 2 weeks with follow-up on the 14th day was given. Data were collected and statistically analyzed using unpaired t-test and results were obtained.
Results
This study showed that the values on unpaired t-test were significant and relevant in statistical and data analysis on 5% level of significance.
Conclusion
There was an increase in neck flexion and neck extension and a decrease in Neck Disability Index (NDI)s and pain on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The myofascial trigger point release is effective in treating neck disability and increasing range of motion.