Clinical massage and modified Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation stretching in males with latent myofascial trigger points.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To determine the immediate effects of modified Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) stretching (group I) versus Myofascial Trigger Point (MTrP) therapy plus modified PNF stretching (group II) in comparison to a control group receiving no treatment.

DESIGN:

Randomized, assessor-blind, (3 x 4) mixed-model repeated measures.

SETTING:

University laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS:

Thirty physically active males with tight hamstrings and at least one latent MTrP on muscles innervated by the lumbosacral, sciatic, tibial and common peroneal nerves.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Knee range of motion (ROM), stretch perception, pressure pain threshold (PPT) and subjective pain intensity. Outcomes were evaluated at baseline, immediately after treatment, at 10 and 30 min.

RESULTS:

Significant changes over time occurred for group II in all outcomes (p < or = 0.001). Group II also showed lower pain intensity scores than group I immediately post-treatment (p = 0.045) and a strong clinical effect over group I in ROM at all follow-ups (effect sizes = 0.9-1.0, p < or = 0.05). Other differences were found between both stretching groups as compared to the control group (p < or = 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

The results indicate immediate pre- to post-treatment benefits from MTrP therapy combined with modified PNF stretching in young and physically active males with latent MTrPs.

• Authors: Athanasios Trampas, Athanasios Kitsios, Evagelos Sykaras, Stamatios Symeonidis, Lazaros Lazarou
• Journal: Physical therapy in sport : official journal of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine (Phys Ther Sport) Vol. 11 Issue 3 Pg. 91-8 (Aug 2010) ISSN: 1873-1600 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20673857 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Humans
• Male
• Massage
• Muscle Stretching Exercises (methods)
• Muscle, Skeletal (physiology)
• Myofascial Pain Syndromes (physiopathology, therapy)
• Proprioception (physiology)
• Young Adult