Local and Systemic Changes in Pain Sensitivity After 4 Weeks of Calf Muscle Stretching in a Nonpainful Population: A Randomized Trial

Bartholdy, Cecilie; Zangger, Graziella; Hansen, L.; Ginnerup-Nielsen, Elisabeth; Bliddal, Henning; Henriksen, Marius

doi:10.1111/papr.12322

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 23 publications

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“…The majority of studies support the contention that chronic stretching reduces pain in the neck (27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32), shoulder (33), chest (81), lower back (34,41,42), knee (35), ankle (36)(37)(38)(39), and overall musculoskeletal system (40). While the vast majority of chronic stretching studies demonstrate pain relief, several studies have not reported a beneficial effect on pain (82)(83)(84)(85)(86).…”

Section: Effects Of Chronic Stretching On Painmentioning

confidence: 85%

Effects of Acute and Chronic Stretching on Pain Control

Behm

Kay

Trajano

et al. 2021

Journal of Clinical Exercise Physiology

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While muscle stretching has been commonly used to alleviate pain, reports of its effectiveness are conflicting. The objective of this review is to investigate the acute and chronic effects of stretching on pain, including delayed onset muscle soreness. The few studies implementing acute stretching protocols have reported small to large magnitude decreases in quadriceps and anterior knee pain as well as reductions in headache pain. Chronic stretching programs have demonstrated more consistent reductions in pain from a wide variety of joints and muscles, which has been ascribed to an increased sensory (pain) tolerance. Other mechanisms underlying acute and chronic pain reduction have been proposed to be related to gate control theory, diffuse noxious inhibitory control, myofascial meridians, and reflex-induced increases in parasympathetic nervous activity. By contrast, the acute effects of stretching on delayed onset muscle soreness are conflicting. Reports of stretch-induced reductions in delayed onset muscle soreness may be attributed to increased pain tolerance or alterations in the muscle's parallel elastic component or extracellular matrix properties providing protection against tissue damage. Further research evaluating the effect of various stretching protocols on different pain modalities is needed to clarify conflicts within the literature.

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Section: Effects Of Chronic Stretching On Painmentioning

confidence: 85%

Effects of Acute and Chronic Stretching on Pain Control

Behm

Kay

Trajano

et al. 2021

Journal of Clinical Exercise Physiology

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Cuff Algometry for Estimation of Hyperalgesia and Pain Summation

Christensen

Graven‐Nielsen

2016

Pain Med

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Stretch-induced hypoalgesia: a pilot study

Larouche

Bernier

Racine

et al. 2020

Scandinavian Journal of Pain

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ObjectivesStretching is an intervention often used in various kinds of rehabilitation protocols and the effects on pain sensitivity has sparsely been investigated, especially when addressing potential effects on pain. The objective is to investigate the immediate effects of an axial and peripheral prolonged stretch on pressure pain sensitivity (PPT) and temporal summation (TS) on local and distal sites in healthy subjects.MethodsTwenty-two healthy volunteers were recruited to participate in this pilot study. Two prolonged stretching protocols were performed: low back and wrist extensors stretches. PPT and pinprick TS were measured pre- and post-intervention at local and remote sites. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine the effects and significance of the interventions.ResultsThe low back stretch induced an increase in PPT for both local and remote sites, and the wrist stretch produced a PPT increase only at the local site. TS did not change.ConclusionsLow back stretching induced an increase in PPT at both local and remote sites whereas the wrist stretch only increased PPT locally, suggesting hypoalgesia at these sites. Further studies are needed to confirm the effect and mechanisms using randomised, controlled and parallel study design. Considering that pain sensitivity is different than clinical pain, results are difficult to extrapolate to clinical practice. Future studies testing clinical pain are needed to better understand the clinical implication of these results.

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Local and Systemic Changes in Pain Sensitivity After 4 Weeks of Calf Muscle Stretching in a Nonpainful Population: A Randomized Trial

Abstract: Four weeks of regular stretching of the calf muscles does not affect pressure pain sensitivity, suggesting that pressure pain sensitivity is unaffected by stretching in a healthy population. The mechanisms underlying any benefits of regular stretching remain to be explained.

Cited by 3 publications

References 23 publications

Effects of Acute and Chronic Stretching on Pain Control

Effects of Acute and Chronic Stretching on Pain Control

Cuff Algometry for Estimation of Hyperalgesia and Pain Summation

Stretch-induced hypoalgesia: a pilot study

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