CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Problem and its Setting
Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is caused by myofascial trigger points (MFTPs) which are hyperirritable spots in the muscle fibres presenting as taut, ropey bands on palpation. MFTPs may refer pain spontaneously and / or on digital compression. This pain may be associated with paresthesias and / or autonomic phenomena / symptoms within the same region as the pain. These symptoms tend to be peculiar for each muscle (Travell and Simons, 1999).
The international prevalence of myofascial pain syndrome (based on the above description), is predicted to be between 21% and 85 % of individuals presenting with musculoskeletal dysfunction (Tekin et al., 2012). In South Africa, Walker et al. …show more content…
Several proposed mechanisms explain effectiveness of dry needling in the deactivation of MFTPs. One mechanism proposed that dry needling is able to mechanically disrupt the muscle or nerve fibres, thus ceaseing the pain-spasm cycle (Manga, 2008; Ferreira, 2006; Travell and Simons, 1999). Mechanical disruption of muscle fibres by the needle causes elevated levels of extracellular potassium, which in turn leads to the depolarization of nerve fibres which cause a local twitch response (Hong and Hsueh, 1996; Marieb and Hoehn, 2013). Nerve sensitising substances are removed by local haemorrhage and interruption of the central feedback mechanism (Travell and Simons, …show more content…
Whilst various treatments have been identified in decreasing post needling soreness, to date no study has been conducted to determine the effect of low intensity laser therapy on post needling soreness. LILT is non-invasive, inexpensive and the periods of short exposure required also cuts back on time constraints that often affect treatment. Coupling LILT with other chiropractic treatment such as cervical manipulation has also shown a significant improvement in the management of neck pain in comparison to using either LILT or cervical manipulation on its own (Saayman, et al. 2011).
1.4 Benefits
The patients will benefit from this study as the results from this study produced a method of treating post-needling soreness in a limited amount of time with reduced or without any discomfort at all
Practitioners will benefit from this study as it will encourage them to use a time-efficient modality to treat patients, thus giving them more time to treat more patients in the day , as well as providing a better treatment regime for their patients. This will result in better patient satisfaction
The benefit of this study to health economics is that the public will be more inclined to visit a chiropractor without the hesitation to receive the best invasive treatment for myofascial pain, which is dry needling (Dommerholt et al., 2006).
1.5
INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Problem and its Setting
Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is caused by myofascial trigger points (MFTPs) which are hyperirritable spots in the muscle fibres presenting as taut, ropey bands on palpation. MFTPs may refer pain spontaneously and / or on digital compression. This pain may be associated with paresthesias and / or autonomic phenomena / symptoms within the same region as the pain. These symptoms tend to be peculiar for each muscle (Travell and Simons, 1999).
The international prevalence of myofascial pain syndrome (based on the above description), is predicted to be between 21% and 85 % of individuals presenting with musculoskeletal dysfunction (Tekin et al., 2012). In South Africa, Walker et al. …show more content…
Several proposed mechanisms explain effectiveness of dry needling in the deactivation of MFTPs. One mechanism proposed that dry needling is able to mechanically disrupt the muscle or nerve fibres, thus ceaseing the pain-spasm cycle (Manga, 2008; Ferreira, 2006; Travell and Simons, 1999). Mechanical disruption of muscle fibres by the needle causes elevated levels of extracellular potassium, which in turn leads to the depolarization of nerve fibres which cause a local twitch response (Hong and Hsueh, 1996; Marieb and Hoehn, 2013). Nerve sensitising substances are removed by local haemorrhage and interruption of the central feedback mechanism (Travell and Simons, …show more content…
Whilst various treatments have been identified in decreasing post needling soreness, to date no study has been conducted to determine the effect of low intensity laser therapy on post needling soreness. LILT is non-invasive, inexpensive and the periods of short exposure required also cuts back on time constraints that often affect treatment. Coupling LILT with other chiropractic treatment such as cervical manipulation has also shown a significant improvement in the management of neck pain in comparison to using either LILT or cervical manipulation on its own (Saayman, et al. 2011).
1.4 Benefits
The patients will benefit from this study as the results from this study produced a method of treating post-needling soreness in a limited amount of time with reduced or without any discomfort at all
Practitioners will benefit from this study as it will encourage them to use a time-efficient modality to treat patients, thus giving them more time to treat more patients in the day , as well as providing a better treatment regime for their patients. This will result in better patient satisfaction
The benefit of this study to health economics is that the public will be more inclined to visit a chiropractor without the hesitation to receive the best invasive treatment for myofascial pain, which is dry needling (Dommerholt et al., 2006).
1.5