DOES MYOFASCIAL RELEASE TECHNIQUE CONTRIBUTE TO CERVICAL RADICULOPATHY TREATMENT? CUES FROM A NONCONTROLLED EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN STUDY

Abstract

Background: Neck is common and its incidence is increasing throughout the world. Neck pain with Cervical Radiculopathy (CR), nowadays, is frequently diagnosed in physiotherapy clinics and hospitals. The focus of all the existing treatments of CR focuses only on relieving pain and treating the radicular symptoms rather than on the muscle dysfunction itself. Objective of study: To evaluate the effect of Myofascial Release (MFR) in decreasing Neck Disability (NDI) in patients with CR. Methods: A total of 15 patients with CR and Myofascial Trigger Points (MTrPs) in upper trapezius were recruited for the study. The intervention took place in 5 consecutive days. Data were analysed by using Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test and central tendency as mean with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI). Results: After 5 days of intervention the results showed significant changes in scores of NDI 22.66 (17.3-27.9) (mean with 95% CI; p<0.001), Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) 3.8 (3.2-4.3) (mean with 95% CI; p<0.001) and Upper Limb Neurodynamic Test for median nerve (ULNT1) 61.25 (45.2-77.2) (mean with 95% CI; p<0.001). Conclusion: MFR was effective in treating the patients with CR.