Myofascial Trigger Point Pain

Myofascial pain syndrome is one of the most common causes of musculoskeletal pain, and the upper trapezius is the muscle most frequently affected in the neck and shoulder region. Kinesio taping is a non-invasive, painless and low-cost method that is increasingly used in the treatment of myofascial trigger points, but its true therapeutic effect beyond placebo has not been clearly established. The purpose of this randomized, sham-controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of kinesio taping applied with the muscle inhibition technique on myofascial trigger points of the upper trapezius muscle. Forty patients with an active myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either therapeutic kinesio taping or sham taping (20 patients per group). Both groups will receive four applications over two weeks (twice weekly). The primary outcome is the pressure pain threshold measured with a digital algometer. Secondary outcomes are pain intensity, trapezius muscle thickness measured by B-mode ultrasonography, and muscle stiffness assessed by strain elastography. All outcomes are assessed at baseline, on day 3, and at the end of the two-week treatment period.

Back pain is commonly seen in the working-age population, with the peak occurrence around the age of 40. Its frequency does not increase with age and is not associated with age-related degenerative changes in the spine. Especially when the underlying cause is conditions such as myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), where regional muscle sensitivity in the rhomboid and trapezius areas is prominent, dry needling treatment has become increasingly popular and the subject of numerous studies in recent years. In the diagnosis of MPS, two valuable findings include the detection of a taut band upon palpation and the presence of trigger points in muscle fibers with mild finger pressure. The study we are planning involves a double-blind efficacy trial where real and sham dry needling procedures will be performed under ultrasound guidance, ensuring that both the patient and the evaluator are blinded. This study design has the potential to make a significant contribution to the literature in this field.

It has been found that women with dysmenorrhea have active trigger points, particularly in the rectus abdominis, oblique abdominal muscles, quadratus lumborum, and paraspinal muscles. The myofascial release technique is a widely used manual therapy method characterized by the application of low-load, long-duration mechanical forces to manipulate the myofascial complex. This technique aims to restore optimal length, alleviate pain, and improve function. This study aims to examine the effect of the myofascial release technique on central sensitization, myofascial trigger points, and menstrual symptoms in women with primary dysmenorrhea.