Local heating of trigger points reduces neck and plantar fascia pain

Petrofsky, Jerrold S.; Laymon, Michael; Lee, Haneul

doi:10.3233/bmr-181222

Cited by 17 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 61 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Thermotherapy has been used to reduce chronic musculoskeletal pain and has been reported as a complementary intervention [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Since the application of thermotherapy to the skin increases the temperature and blood flow to the muscle and decreases muscle fatigue [ 14 , 15 , 16 ], it may be associated with an increase in muscle flexibility [ 17 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermotherapy Plus Neck Stabilization Exercise for Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain in Elderly: A Single-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

Shin

Kim

Hahm

et al. 2020

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Neck pain is a serious problem for public health. This study aimed to compare the effects of thermotherapy plus neck stabilization exercise versus neck stabilization exercise alone on pain, neck disability, muscle properties, and alignment of the neck and shoulder in the elderly with chronic nonspecific neck pain. This study is a single-blinded randomized controlled trial. Thirty-five individuals with chronic nonspecific neck pain were randomly allocated to intervention (n = 18) or control (n = 17) groups. The intervention group received thermotherapy with a salt-pack for 30 min and performed a neck stabilization exercise for 40 min twice a day for 5 days (10 sessions). The control group performed a neck stabilization exercise at the same time points. Pain intensity, pain pressure threshold (PPT), neck disability index, muscle properties, and alignment of the neck and shoulder were evaluated before and after the intervention. Significant time and group interactions were observed for pain at rest (p < 0.001) and during movement (p < 0.001), and for PPT at the upper-trapezius (p < 0.001), levator-scapula (p = 0.003), and splenius-capitis (p = 0.001). The disability caused by neck pain also significantly changed between groups over time (p = 0.005). In comparison with the control group, the intervention group showed significant improvements in muscle properties for the upper-trapezius (tone, p = 0.021; stiffness, p = 0.017), levator-scapula (stiffness, p = 0.025; elasticity, p = 0.035), and splenius-capitis (stiffness, p = 0.012), and alignment of the neck (p = 0.016) and shoulder (p < 0.001) over time. These results recommend the clinical use of salt pack thermotherapy in addition to neck stabilization exercise as a complementary intervention for chronic nonspecific neck pain control.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermotherapy Plus Neck Stabilization Exercise for Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain in Elderly: A Single-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

Shin

Kim

Hahm

et al. 2020

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A permanent change of the paravertebral muscle tone and the development of trigger points can lead to further pain intensification, and can result in a vicious circle of pain amplification. In this context, Petrofsky et al [28] showed that, when locally applied to trigger points, heat was significantly superior to sham treatment for non-specific neck pain.…”

Section: Causes Of Low Back Painmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The muscle relaxant and analgesic effects of heat therapy (as reviewed in the section above) have also been found to be efficacious in relieving other types of musculoskeletal pain. Several studies have reported the benefits of continuous, low-level, direct heat-wrap therapy for the treatment of neck pain [28,57], knee pain (including pain from osteoarthritis, where heat wrap was more effective than acetaminophen) [57][58][59][60], and wrist pain stemming from strain or sprain, tendinosis, and carpal tunnel syndrome, with particularly good results observed in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome [61].…”

Section: Other Applications For Heat Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Localized heating of certain trigger points has also proven effective at relieving neck pain; in this case the heat is applied on the upper trapezius muscle [28]. Studies also indicate that heat therapy is effective at preventing and treating delayed-onset muscle soreness associated with exercise, with benefits observed in younger and older patients, as well as those with diabetes (a group who reportedly experience greater muscle soreness after exercise) [57,[62][63][64].…”

Section: Other Applications For Heat Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A Role for Heat Therapy in Low Back Pain in Modern Clinical Practice

Freiwald¹,

Magni²,

Fanlo-Mazas³

et al. 2021

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability. It significantly impacts the patient’s quality of life, limits their daily living activities, and reduces work productivity. To reduce the burden of LBP, several pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options are available. This review summarizes the role of heat therapy in the management of LBP. First, we outline the common causes of LBP, then discuss the general mechanisms of heat therapy on (LB)P, and finally review the published evidence regarding the impact of heat therapy in patients with acute or chronic non-specific LBP. This review demonstrates that continuous, low-level heat therapy provides pain relief, improves muscular strength, and increases flexibility. Therefore, this effective, safe, easy-to-use, and cost-effective non-pharmacological pain relief option is still relevant in modern clinical practice.

show abstract

“…In the field of physical therapy, musculoskeletal pain has been considered as one of the leading causes for seeking rehabilitation [10]. Local heat [11], ultrasound [12], transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [13], and interferential current (IFC) [14][15][16] are among the commonly used physiotherapeutic modalities for pain relief. IFC could be described as the application of two symmetrical but asynchronous medium frequency currents (1,000-10,000 Hz) to produce a new low-frequency current (amplitude modulated frequency) at a frequency between (0-250 Hz).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%