Application of Combined Laser and Compression Therapy on the Pain and Level of Disability on Trigger Points in Upper Trapezius Muscle

Saeed Rezaei; Azadeh Shadmehr; Siamak  Bashardoust Tajali; Behrooz  Attarbashi Moghadam; Shohreh Jalaei

doi:10.18502/jmr.v14i2.7707

Saeed Rezaei Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Azadeh Shadmehr Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Siamak Bashardoust Tajali Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Behrooz Attarbashi Moghadam Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Shohreh Jalaei Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jmr.v14i2.7707

Keywords: Myofascial pain syndrome, Pain, Trigger points, Laser therapy

Abstract

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are among the main causes of disability in modern life. Myofascial trigger points are very common among musculoskeletal disorders and may occur through ordinary common activities. This study aimed to determine the combined effects of laser therapy and Ischemic Compression (IC) on the treatment of Myofascial Trigger Points (MTrPs) at the upper trapezius muscle.

Materials and Methods: Twenty men with at least one active trigger point at their upper trapezius muscle voluntarily participated in this study. Trigger points were under treatment of laser irradiation (6 Joules per point) and also ischemic compression. Treatment approaches were applied over the pain point every other day for 5 sessions in 10 days. Neck disability index, pain intensity by visual analog scale, pressure pain threshold by algometry, and cervical lateral flexion by goniometer were assessed and recorded before the intervention, and immediately after the last session.

Results: At the end of treatment, statistically significant improvements were seen in the neck disability index, VAS value, pressure pain threshold, and cervical lateral flexion. VAS values of the treatment and control groups were compared with the baseline (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Application of combined laser and compression therapy was effective on the pain and level of disability of patients with trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle.