Effects of Strain Counter-Strain and Stretching Techniques in Active Myofascial Pain Syndrome

• Published in: Journal of Physical Therapy Science Vol. 23; no. 6; pp. 889 - 893
• Main Authors: Somprasong, Sirikarn, Vachalathiti, Roongtiwa, Pichaiyongwongdee, Sopa, Mekhora, Keerin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Society of Physical Therapy Science 2011
• Subjects: Evaluation; Flexibility; Measurement; Muscles; Myofascial pain syndrome; Pain; Perception; Strain counter-strain; Strains; Stretching; Techniques
• ISSN: 0915-5287; 2187-5626
• DOI: 10.1589/jpts.23.889

[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of passive stretching (STR) and strain counter-strain (SCS) techniques in subjects with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) as measured by a visual analogue scale (VAS), pressure pain threshold (PPT), displacement pain threshold (DPT), active range of motion (AROM), and patients perception of change (PPC). [Subjects] Twenty volunteers with active MPS in the upper trapezius muscle participated in the study. [Methods] The subjects were randomly allocated to either a STR or SCS treatment group. Evaluations were performed at before, immediately, one hour, and one day after treatment. [Results] No significant difference between groups were found. However, there was a significant improvement of VAS an hour after SCS treatment. The improvement seemed to be maintained after treatment. The STR group showed a significant decrease of DPT between immediately and a day after treatment, indicating less tissue compliance. [Conclusion] The SCS treatment helps relieve the pain one hour after treatment in subjects with active MPS.