The Impact of Different Muscle Relaxation Techniques on the Upper Trapezius and Its Relationship with the Middle Trapezius.

J Physiol Investig

Key Laboratory of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China.

Published: July 2024

The relaxation of trapezius muscles is widely believed to alleviate fatigue or injury of the trapezius muscles and reduce the risk of shoulder and neck pain. This study aims to examine the effects of different muscle relaxation techniques on the physical properties of the trapezius muscle and to explore how changes in the physical properties of the upper trapezius muscle affect those of the middle trapezius muscle. Twenty-four healthy males (mean age: 23.08 ± 0.97 years; height: 172.42 ± 4.61 cm; weight: 66.38 ± 6.68 kg; and body mass index: 22.30 ± 1.81 kg/m2), randomly divided into four groups: stretching relaxation group (ST, n = 6), mechanical vibration massage (MV, n = 6), pulse massage (PU, n = 6), and control (CO, n = 6). Measurements using the Myoton digital muscle assessment system were conducted daily over 2 weeks. The experimental groups demonstrated a notable decrease in tension and stiffness, accompanied by heightened elasticity in the upper trapezius muscles. Conversely, the control group exhibited contrasting trends. Although no significant variances were detected among the relaxation techniques, all proved efficacious compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, relaxation of the upper trapezius muscles significantly influenced the middle trapezius muscles (P < 0.05). Various relaxation methods positively influenced trapezius muscle attributes over 2 weeks, with inter-regional effects noted.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/ejpi.EJPI-D-24-00041DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

trapezius muscles
20
upper trapezius
16
trapezius muscle
16
relaxation techniques
12
middle trapezius
12
trapezius
11
muscle relaxation
8
physical properties
8
control group
8
005 relaxation
8

Similar Publications

Objective: To investigate the effects of vibration therapy to home-based exercises on shoulder muscle strength, range of motion (ROM), pain-related disability, and muscles viscoelastic properties of shoulder and neck in patients with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy.

Design: In this randomized controlled superiority trial was conducted with 38 participants who underwent breast cancer surgery. All patients were randomized into two groups: control group (CG) and vibration group (VG).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Posterior neck, trapezius, and interscapular pain, exacerbated by poor posture such as forward head and rounded shoulders, is common. In this study, we aimed to assess the clinical outcomes of isotonic saline injections at nerve entrapment points (NEPs) within the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and scalenus medius (SM) muscles for alleviating spinal accessory nerve (SAN) and dorsal scapular nerve (DSN) compression in patients suffering from posterior neck, trapezius, and interscapular pain. In this retrospective study, 68 patients were included, with 34 receiving isotonic saline injections and 34 undergoing Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) as a control.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Most sports and leisure activities involve repetitive movements in the upper limb, which are typically linked to pain and discomfort in the neck and shoulder area. Movement variability is generally expressed by changes in movement parameters from one movement to another and is a time-dependent feature of repetitive activities. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of repeated movement-induced fatigue on biomechanical coordination and variability in athletes with and without chronic shoulder pain (CSP).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Lower trapezius tendon (LTT) transfer has demonstrated promising results for patients with posterosuperior irreparable rotator cuff tears (PSIRCTs). However, there has been no study evaluating return to work (RTW) and return to sports (RTS) after LTT transfer.

Purpose/hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to assess the rates of RTW and RTS and identify associated factors among patients who have undergone LTT transfer for PSIRCTs.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the viscoelastic properties of the superficial back muscles of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients with Lenke Type 1A and 1B curves compared to their healthy peers.

Methods: 20 participants with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and 20 healthy peers were evaluated. Cobb angle was recorded for scoliosis participants.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!