Comparación entre electropuntura y compresión isquémica local en el síndrome doloroso miofascial.

Abstract

The myofascial pain syndrome represents a frequent pathology and a medical problem, generally misdiagnosed. The main symptom is musculoskeletal pain leading to functional incapacity. The objective was to compare the degree of pain relief and the amplitude of neck lateral movement by means of either electropuncture or local ischaemic compression on the trigger points. It is an applied, prospective, longitudinal type research carried out at Unidad de Medicina Fisica y Rehabilitacion del Instituto Autonomo Hospital Universitario de los Andes, Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Los Andes, Merida, Venezuela. 22 patients were included. Group A (n=12) was treated with electropuncture and B (n=10) treated with local ischaemic compression. Results: Intensity of pain (scale 0-10) Group A befote treatment 8.58±1.80, alter first therapy 4.41±2.19, alter sixth therapy 0.16±0.38; Group B before treatment 8.10±1.72, after first therapy 5.30±2.11, after sixth therapy 1.70±1.63. Amplitude of neck lateral articular movement Group A before treatment 17.50±10.30, alter first therapy 22.00±10.10, alter sixth therapy 44.16±1.94; Group B before treatment 19.00±10.48, after first therapy 21.00±11.00, after sixth therapy 40.50±7.61. Both electropuncture and local ischaemic compression complemented with application of physical means, exercises, massage, stretching, posture education, and emotional support are effective for pain relief on the myofascial trigger points and for recuperation of the amplitude of the lateral neck movements