Authors

• Afsoon Nodehi Moghadam, PhD
• Maryam Motamedi, BS

Abstract

Background: Myofascial trigger point is a tender point within a palpable taut band of skeletal muscle, with or without referred pain. The purpose of this study is to compare maximal isometric strength of upper, middle and lower trapezius muscles in healthy individuals with cases of myofascial trigger point syndromes.Methods: In a case-control study, 15 myofascial trigger points-syndrome patients (mean age of 22.53 years) and 15 healthy persons (mean age of 22.46 years) were compared. Muscle strength of upper, middle and lower trapezius was measured with a digital myometer.Results: The persons with latent trigger points demonstrated a significantly lower isometric strength in upper trapezius muscles (p < /em>>0.05).Conclusions: Latent myofascial trigger points are pain free neuromuscular lesions that are associated with decreased muscular contractile efficiency.

Keywords

• trigger points
• Myofascial
• Muscle Contraction
• isometric contraction
• Neck
• back