The effect of costovertebral adjustment versus ischaemic compression of rhomboid muscles for interscapular pain

M.Tech. (Chiropractic)PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of treating inter-scapular pain with either chiropractic adjustments delivered to the costovertebral joints, with ischaemic compression of the myofascial trigger points of the rhomboid muscles, or using a combination treatment protocol in order to determine which of the three treatment protocols was superior. DESIGN: This study was a comparative study consisting of three groups of ten participants each. Participants were between the ages of eighteen and forty-five and there was an equal male to female ratio. Prior to becoming a participant in this study individuals were assessed according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A McGill Pain Questionnaire, numerical pain rating scale, a clinical case history, full physical examination, a cervical regional examination were completed. The method of treatment for each participant was determined by random group allocation. Group 1 received chiropractic adjustments to the costovertebral joints, Group 2 received ischaemic compression to the myofascial trigger points of the rhomboid muscles. Group 3 received a combination treatment involving both chiropractic adjustments to the costovertebral joints together with ischaemic compression of the rhomboid trigger points. Subjective and objective readings were based on the above treatment protocols. All participants received a total of six treatments over a three week period. MEASUREMENTS: Subjective measurements were obtained by the Numerical Pain Rating Scale and the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Objective measurements were obtained using the hand-held pressure algometer. The data was collected on the first, fourth and seventh consultations. OUTCOME: With regards to the subjective readings, the results from the McGill Pain Questionnaire for the intragroup analysis indicated that the ischaemic compression group showed the greatest improvement over time (84.06%). No statistically significant differences were noted for the intergroup analysis. The intragroup analysis of the Numerical Pain Rating Scale indicated that the adjustment group showed the greatest improvement over time (78.70%). The intergroup analysis indicated that there were no statistically significant differences. With regards to the objective measurements, the intragroup analysis of the pressure algometer readings indicated that the ischaemic compression group showed the greatest improvement over time (35.44%). Once again, there were no statistically significant differences with the intergroup analysis. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, it showed that all three treatment groups were effective in decreasing inter-scapular pain and disability. Although all three treatment protocols have shown to be effective, and have shown similar improvement, intergroup analysis indicates that statistically there is no treatment protocol that is seen to be more superior or more effective in treating inter-scapular pain