The Management for Myofascial Trigger Points

Authors

Chang-Zern Hong
Emerson Meng-Fong Jou
Ta-Shen Kuan
Shu-Min Chen
Jo-Tong Chen

Translated Title

肌筋膜激痛點的處置

Abstract

Myofascial pain syndrome is very common in clinical practice. It is characterized by the existence of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), which is a hypersensitive spot in a taut band of skeletal muscle fibers. In general, active MTrPs should be treated conservatively (non-invasive treatments including physical therapy) prior to the consideration of aggressive therapy (invasive treatments including injection and surgery). The most important strategy of MTrP therapy is to find out the etiological lesion that causes the activation of MTrPs and to treat the underlying pathology. If the treatment of underlying etiological lesion is not appropriate, the MTrP cannot be inactivated completely, or can only be temporarily inactivated. In this article, we reviewed various methods of physical therapy for MTrPs based on the literature and our clinical experiences. These treatments included mechanical approach (manual therapy, spray and stretch, massage, manipulation, dry needling, therapeutic exercise, etc.), thermotherapy, cryotherapy, electrotherapy, and laser therapy. Combination of two or more methods listed above is commonly used in clinical practice. The basic principle and clinical application for each treatment were also discussed.

Language

English

First Page

67

Last Page

77

Recommended Citation

Hong, Chang-Zern; Jou, Emerson Meng-Fong; Kuan, Ta-Shen; Chen, Shu-Min; and Chen, Jo-Tong (2003) "The Management for Myofascial Trigger Points," Rehabilitation Practice and Science: Vol. 31: Iss. 2, Article 1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6315/3005-3846.2187
Available at: https://rps.researchcommons.org/journal/vol31/iss2/1