Comparision of two treatment techniques: shockwave therapy and ischaemic compression in subjects with upper trapezius myofascial trigger point

Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to compare the effects of ESWT technique versus ischemic compression technique on subjective pain, pressure pain threshold and trapezius flexibility for subjects with upper trapezius muscle MTrP. Methodology: 60 subjects both males and females with the mean age of (23.46 ± 2.31) were randomly assigned into 2 groups. Subjects in Group A received shockwave therapy with MET and subjects in Group B received ischemic compression with MET. Treatment was given 5 times a week for 2 weeks. Data Collection: Measurements of PPT by syringe algometer, pain on VAS and neck side flexion ROM by measure tape were taken prior to beginning of treatment (pre-test) and were repeated after completion of 2 weeks treatment protocol (post treatment). Data Analysis: The dependent variables were analysed using a 2 × 2 ANOVA. All pair wise Post- Hoc comparisons were analysed using a 0.05 level of significance. Results and Conclusion: The overall results of this study shows that there was significant reduction in perception of pain in terms of VAS, increase in pressure pain threshold and increase in contra lateral neck side flexion ROM in both the shockwave and ischemic compression groups in subjects with myofascial trigger point in upper trepezius muscle. There wasn’t any marked difference in reduction of pain on VAS between the groups, However the improvement in PPT and CROM was significantly more in shockwave group compared to ischemic compression.