Current Perspective on Myofascial Trigger Point Intervention in Headache Management
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Abstract
Headache represents one of the most common neurological issues globally, with Tension-Type Headache (TTH) being the most widespread subtype. The presence of Myofascial Trigger Points (MTrP) in the cervical muscles is viewed as one of the key causes of TTH symptoms. Intervention that are effective in addressing MTrPs are necessary to decrease pain and related disability. This study aimed to compare the levels of effectiveness of Myofascial Release (MFR) and Post-Isometric Relaxation (PIR) in individuals with TTH related to suboccipital trigger points. A comparative experimental design was adopted in which thirty individuals between the ages of 40 - 55 years were divided into two groups of 15 individuals each. Group A was given MFR via the cranio-base release method, and Group B was given PIR, which included the use of suboccipital muscle contractions against resistance and followed by relaxation. Treatment was done daily with eight sessions. The intensity of pain was measured with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and disability was measured with the Headache Disability Inventory (HDI) at the baseline, mid-intervention, and after the intervention. The two intervention showed a high level of improvement in both VAS scores, though Group A showed improvement earlier on Day 2 and Day 4. Significant changes in pre- and post-values were highly significant and supported by paired t-tests (p = 0.0001). But HDI scores did not exhibit statistically significant changes within or between the groups in the process of the study. In short, MFR and PIR are efficient in decreasing the severity of a headache in patients with TTH, but no significant improvement in disability was observed in the short term are Both intervention are valuable in clinical practice as they are available and non-pharmacological methods of managing headache.
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References
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