Myofascial trigger-point compression therapy as an adjunct to exercise program is superior in alleviating chronic low back pain compared to exercise program alone- A retrospective non-randomized study.

Abstract

Introduction: Current guidelines for the treatment of low back pain (LBP) endorse physical exercise programs and a range of non-pharmacological complementary therapies. Myofascial trigger points (MTP) compression therapy is a well-established form of manual therapy, which aims to induce temporary ischemia and over-stimulation of mechanoreceptors over a desired area in order to restore tissue normal functional conditions required for healing response. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effect of MTP compression therapy as an adjunct to active exercise program in alleviating chronic non-specific low back pain.Methods: One-hundred and three patients with chronic non-specific LBP were retrospectively reviewed, 45 of them were treated with MTP compression therapy as an adjunct to physical exercise program and 58 were treated with exercise program alone. Pain and functional scores were compared before initiating treatment and at 3-month follow-up. Results: Pain reduction at 3-month follow-up was 5.6 points (0-10 numerical scale) in the combined treatment group compared to 3.6 points in the exercise program alone group (p<0.01). Oswestry Disability Index improved by 36 and 22 points respectively (p<0.01) and SF-12 life quality score improved by 41 and 29 points respectively (p<0.01). Conclusions: Myofascial trigger points compression therapy as an adjunct to active exercise program provides superior pain and disability relief compared to active exercise program alone for patients with chronic LBP.

Dry needling, trigger point electroacupuncture and motor point electroacupuncture for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome involving the trapezius: a randomised clinical trial

“…Ata et al 44 compared the effects of kinesiotaping and lidocaine injections to treat MPS and found a significant improvement in the intervention group, with respect to the SF-12 physical component evaluations, 1 month after the last treatment. Masarwa et al, 45 in a preprint manuscript, evaluated the effect of TrP compression therapy as an adjunct to an exercise programme to treat MPS and found, upon evaluation 1 month after the final intervention, that SF-12 life quality scores improved in the intervention group. This study is not directly comparable as we did not evaluate the patients at the same time point, relative to the final session of treatment, as other published studies.…”