Different Myofascial Release Techniques Effects on Pain and Function with Chronic Shoulder Pain in the Late Rehabilitation Period

Abstract

Background. Joints or muscles dysfunctions more often occur not only in elderly but also middle aged people. The problem becomes chronic and causes longtermed pain, lack of functional mobility. One of the most affected areas of human musculoskeletal zones is shoulder area (Pan, 2016). Purpose. Evaluate myofascial release techniques for pain and function in patients with chronic shoulder pain. Methods. There were 12 patients chosen who were randomly divided into ischemic compression and friction groups. We evaluated pain, arm function, muscle strength and range of motion. Results. In ischemia group, pain after the treatment decreased (before 5.33 ± 0.81; after 3 ± 1.41, p = 0.01). Function of arm improved (before 42.83 ± 8.23; after 62.5 ± 6.89, p = 0.01). All humerus range of motions and strength of muscles improved (p < 0.05), comparing results before and after the treatment. In friction group pain after the treatment did not change (before 5.83 ± 0.98; after 4.16 ± 2.63, p = 0.252). Arm function improved (before 42.5 ± 4.84; after 56 ± 5.47, p = 0.006). Friction improved (p < 0.05) humerus flexion, abduction, external rotation range of motions and muscles strength of humerus abductors. Conclusions. Ischemic compression had signifcant effect on reducing shoulder pain, improving range of motion and muscle strength of humerus movers. Friction technique did not have effects on reducing pain, but had significant effects on humerus flexion, abduction, external rotation range of motions and increased muscle strength of humerus abductors. When comparing results after ischemia and friction between groups, no signifcant difference was found in treating shoulder pain, range of motion of humerus movements and muscle strength of humerus movers.

Keywords: myofascial realease, friction, ischemia.