Physical Therapy in Sport
Volume 11, Issue 3 , Pages 91-98, August 2010

Clinical massage and modified Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation stretching in males with latent myofascial trigger points

  • Athanasios Trampas

      Affiliations

    • Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. 13b Paster str, 55535, Pylea, Thessaloniki, Greece. Tel.: +306973389399.
    • ,
  • Athanasios Kitsios

      Affiliations

    • Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
    • ,
  • Evagelos Sykaras

      Affiliations

    • Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
    • ,
  • Stamatios Symeonidis

      Affiliations

    • 424 Military Hospital of Thessaloniki, Greece
    • ,
  • Lazaros Lazarou

      Affiliations

    • Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

Received 9 November 2009; received in revised form 30 January 2010; accepted 4 February 2010. published online 06 May 2010.

Abstract 

Objectives

To determine the immediate effects of modified Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) stretching (group I) versus Myofascial Trigger Point (MTrP) therapy plus modified PNF stretching (group II) in comparison to a control group receiving no treatment.

Design

Randomized, assessor-blind, (3 × 4) mixed-model repeated measures.

Setting

University laboratory.

Participants

Thirty physically active males with tight hamstrings and at least one latent MTrP on muscles innervated by the lumbosacral, sciatic, tibial and common peroneal nerves.

Main outcome measures

Knee range of motion (ROM), stretch perception, pressure pain threshold (PPT) and subjective pain intensity. Outcomes were evaluated at baseline, immediately after treatment, at 10 and 30 min.

Results

Significant changes over time occurred for group II in all outcomes (p ≤ 0.001). Group II also showed lower pain intensity scores than group I immediately post-treatment (p = 0.045) and a strong clinical effect over group I in ROM at all follow-ups (effect sizes = 0.9–1.0, p ≤ 0.05). Other differences were found between both stretching groups as compared to the control group (p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion

The results indicate immediate pre- to post-treatment benefits from MTrP therapy combined with modified PNF stretching in young and physically active males with latent MTrPs.

Keywords: Myofascial Trigger Point(s), Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation stretching, Hamstrings

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S1466-853X(10)00008-8

doi:10.1016/j.ptsp.2010.02.003

Physical Therapy in Sport
Volume 11, Issue 3 , Pages 91-98, August 2010

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution