SHORT TERM EFFECTS OF CLASSIC MASSAGE COMPARED TO CONNECTIVE TISSUE MASSAGE ON PRESSURE PAIN THRESHOLD AND MUSCLE RELAXATION RESPONSE IN WOMEN WITH CHRONIC NECK PAIN: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

saltan, asuman O/0000-0003-0546-2610; Ankarali, Handan Camdeviren/0000-0002-3613-0523WOS: 000341190200007PubMed: 25108749Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term effects of classic massage (CM) and connective tissue massage (CTM) on pressure pain threshold and muscle relaxation response in women with chronic neck pain. Methods: Participants included 45 female volunteers (ages between 25 and 45 years) presenting to the Koroglu State Hospital Neurosurgery Polyclinic who had experienced neck pain for 3 to 6 months. The volunteers were randomly assigned to 2 groups (CM or CTM to the thoracic spine and the neck). Each treatment was carried out for 1 session. Outcome measures were obtained before and after treatment, which included pressure pain threshold that was measured with an algometer and muscle relaxation response that was evaluated with electromyography biofeedback (EMG-BF). Results: Pressure pain threshold of the sternocleidomastoid muscle was significantly different for the CM (P < .05) group. The EMG-BF values were significantly different for the CTM group (P < .05). Comparing the results of CM and CTM, EMG-BF averages favored the CTM group (P < .05). Conclusion: For the group of women with chronic neck pain that were included in this study, 1 treatment of CTM demonstrated relaxation responses and 1 treatment of CM demonstrated pain reduction