Short- and medium-term effects of manual therapy on cervical active range of motion and pressure pain sensitivity in latent myofascial pain of the upper trapezius muscle: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of different manual techniques on cervical ranges of motion and pressure pain sensitivity in subjects with latent trigger point of the upper trapezius muscle.

Methods: One hundred seventeen volunteers, with a unilateral latent trigger point on upper trapezius due to computer work, were randomly divided into 5 groups: ischemic compression (IC) group (n=24); passive stretching group (n=23); muscle energy technique group (n=23); and 2 control groups, wait-and-see group (n=25) and placebo group (n=22). Cervical spine range of movement was measured using a cervical range of motion instrument as well as pressure pain sensitivity by means of an algometer and a visual analog scale.

The immediate effects of atlanto-occipital joint manipulation and suboccipital muscle inhibition technique on active mouth opening and pressure pain sensitivity over latent myofascial trigger points in the masticatory muscles.

Design: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To investigate the immediate effects on pressure pain thresholds over latent trigger points (TrPs) in the masseter and temporalis muscles and active mouth opening following atlanto-occipital joint thrust manipulation or a soft tissue manual intervention targeted to the suboccipital muscles.

Background: Previous studies have described hypoalgesic effects of neck manipulative interventions over TrPs in the cervical musculature.