A comparative study investigating the effects of ultrasound therapy and hot pack therapy as post dry needling procedures

M.Tech. (Chiropractic)Abstract: PURPOSE: Myofascial pain syndrome is a common cause of discomfort and disability worldwide with various forms of literature to substantiate it. Myofascial pain syndrome is a condition that is characterised by the presence of myofascial trigger points. These trigger points often refer pain to different areas of the body. Pain associated with myofascial trigger points can present as an acute or chronic pain. This pain is often felt at a site distal from the origin of the trigger point and can be associated with many visceral and systemic conditions. This association between trigger points and other conditions often lead to misdiagnosis e.g. headaches experienced over the orbit or pain at the base of the skull are often a result of trapezius trigger points and not conditions more local to the pain. The purpose of this study was to determine whether hot pack therapy or ultrasound therapy used post dry needling was more beneficial in reducing post needle tenderness of an active trapezius muscle trigger points. The goal of this study was to establish the most effective post needling modality of the treatment of active trapezius muscle trigger points. DESIGN: A total of thirty participants were utilised for the research study and were randomly divided into two groups of fifteen participants each. Group A received ultrasound therapy as a post needling procedure on active trapezius muscle trigger points. Group B received hot pack therapy as a post needling procedure on active trapezius muscle trigger points. A total of 4 treatments sessions were required over a two-week period with a 5th visit to take the last readings. MEASUREMENTS: Subjective data was collected by using a Visual Analogue scale. Objective data was collected by using a hand-held pressure algometer on active trapezius muscle trigger points. Data was collected on the first, third and fifth consultations. OUTCOMES: With regards to the subjective data readings, the results from the Visual Analogue scale from the intragroup analysis, indicated that both groups improved over the treatment period, with neither group showing a statistically significant improvement over the other. The intergroup analysis showed no statistical significant difference between groups and showed that neither group was superior. With regards to the objective measurements, the intragroup analysis of the pressure algometer readings indicated that both post needling..