Effect of ischemic compression for cervicogenic headache and elastic behavior of active trigger point in the sternocleidomastoid muscle using ultrasound imaging

Publication date: Available online 6 January 2017
Source:Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Author(s): Mehdi Jafari, Farid Bahrpeyma, Mansoureh Togha
AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the effect of ischemic compression on clinical outcomes of a cervicogenic headache and elastic behavior of myofascial trigger points.DesignRandomized, controlled trial was undertaken.SettingOutpatient headache clinic.Subjects19 subjects with a cervicogenic headache originating from myofascial trigger point within the sternocleidomastoid muscle.InterventionsSubjects were randomized in treatment group (n = 9) and control group (n = 10). Subjects in the treatment group received 4 sessions of ischemic compression in the myofascial trigger point region.Main measuresHeadache intensity, frequency, and duration, trigger point elastic modulus, trigger point area, pressure tolerance, and pressure pain threshold were assessed before and after treatment.ResultsSubjects in the treatment group compared with those in control group showed significant improvements in headache intensity (P = 0.002), headache frequency (P = 0.005), headache duration (P = 0.015), pressure tolerance (P < 0.001), pressure pain threshold (P = 0.039), and myofascial trigger point area (P = 0.017). Changes in myofascial trigger point elastic modulus did not reach a significant level (P > 0.05).ConclusionThe improvements in outcome measures suggest that ischemic compression may be effective in subjects with a cervicogenic headache originating from a myofascial trigger point in the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Data suggest that biomechanical properties of MTrP and severity of headache symptoms are not directly linked, and other mechanisms could be more influential in contributing to symptoms.



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