Myofascial Trigger Points therapy decreases myotonometric tone and stiffness of trapezius muscle, benefits headaches and muscle pain in migraine

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Migraine is a primary headache disorder. Studies have shown that 93% of people with migraine have an increased number of active Ischemic Compression Myofascial Trigger Points (IC-MTrPs) therapy. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of the IC-MTrPs therapy on: (1) mechanical properties of the upper trapezius muscle (UTM), (2) shoulder girdle and neck (SGN) muscles pain and (3) headaches characteristics in episodic migraine patients without aura. METHODS: Thirty-one adult, female, migraine patients without aura underwent seven IC-MTrPs therapy sessions and were tested during maximally five measurement sessions (pre- and post-1’st, post-4’th, post-7’th therapy and 1-month follow-up). Myotonometric measurements of the UTM’s tone, stiffness and elasticity, subjective SGN muscles pain, as well as headache’s level, frequency and duration were analyzed. RESULTS: Myotonometric tone and stiffness of the UTM significantly decreased in post-1’st, post-4’th therapy and in 1-month follow-up measurements versus pre-1’st therapy testing session. The scores for the SGN muscles’ pain significantly decreased: (i) in post-4’th and post-7’th therapy versus post-1’st therapy session, and (ii) in post-7’th versus post-4’th therapy measurements. Headache’s level, frequency and duration significantly decreased in post-7’th therapy versus pre-1’st therapy measurement session. CONCLUSION: IC-MTrPs therapy resulted in a decrease of upper trapezius muscle tone and stiffness, with simultaneous alleviation of shoulder girdle and neck muscle pain and the headaches characteristics in episodic migraine patients without aura.