Local and Systemic Changes in Pain Sensitivity After 4 Weeks of Calf Muscle Stretching in a Nonpainful Population: A Randomized Trial

Bartholdy, Cecilie; Zangger, Graziella; Hansen, L.; Ginnerup-Nielsen, Elisabeth; Bliddal, Henning; Henriksen, Marius

doi:10.1111/papr.12322

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 23 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The majority of studies support the contention that chronic stretching reduces pain in the neck (27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32), shoulder (33), chest (81), lower back (34,41,42), knee (35), ankle (36)(37)(38)(39), and overall musculoskeletal system (40). While the vast majority of chronic stretching studies demonstrate pain relief, several studies have not reported a beneficial effect on pain (82)(83)(84)(85)(86).…”

Section: Effects Of Chronic Stretching On Painmentioning

confidence: 85%

Effects of Acute and Chronic Stretching on Pain Control

Behm

Kay

Trajano

et al. 2021

Journal of Clinical Exercise Physiology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

While muscle stretching has been commonly used to alleviate pain, reports of its effectiveness are conflicting. The objective of this review is to investigate the acute and chronic effects of stretching on pain, including delayed onset muscle soreness. The few studies implementing acute stretching protocols have reported small to large magnitude decreases in quadriceps and anterior knee pain as well as reductions in headache pain. Chronic stretching programs have demonstrated more consistent reductions in pain from a wide variety of joints and muscles, which has been ascribed to an increased sensory (pain) tolerance. Other mechanisms underlying acute and chronic pain reduction have been proposed to be related to gate control theory, diffuse noxious inhibitory control, myofascial meridians, and reflex-induced increases in parasympathetic nervous activity. By contrast, the acute effects of stretching on delayed onset muscle soreness are conflicting. Reports of stretch-induced reductions in delayed onset muscle soreness may be attributed to increased pain tolerance or alterations in the muscle's parallel elastic component or extracellular matrix properties providing protection against tissue damage. Further research evaluating the effect of various stretching protocols on different pain modalities is needed to clarify conflicts within the literature.

show abstract