A dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for a Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic at Technikon Natal, 2000. / This study compared the relative effectiveness of low intensity laser therapy as opposed to dry needling in the treatment of active myofascial trigger points. The purpose of this study was to determine the more effective method of treating active myofascial trigger points, in terms of subjective and objective clinical findings. This study was a comparative, uncontrolled, unblinded pilot study. It was also intended to expand upon the little understood pathophysiology and treatment of muscular pain, in both chiropractic and medical curricula (Gatterman 1990: 285). / M

A dissertation in partial compliance with the requirements for a Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic at Technikon Natal, 2000. / Myofascial trigger points are a common problem for patients as weJl as physicians. According to some authors Myofascial Pain Syndromes encompass the largest group of unrecognised and under-treated medical disorders. At present, needling techniques seem to be most effective in treating myofascial trigger points, however, many chiropractors claim that manipulation alone is sufficient for trigger point amelioration. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of chiropractic manipulation to the level of main segmental nerve supply versus dry needling in the treatment of selected muscles with myofascial trigger points. / M

A dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for a Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Technikon Natal, 1997. / Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome is a common problem for patients as well as physicians. Many treatments have been devised for Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome, but there is very little research to substantiate which of these treatments is most effective. Myofascial trigger points are a frequently overlooked and misunderstood phenomenon in the medical curriculae, yet with correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment the prognosis of these trogger points is usually excellent. The aim of this placebo-controlled study was to justify the hypotheses which stated that myofascial trigger point therapy would be effective in the treatment of Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome (IBFS), as compared to detuned ultrasound as a form of treatment. / M

M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two different treatment methods for myofascial pain and dysfunction syndrome of the Gluteus Medius muscle. This was done in order to determine whether or not a combined treatment of the integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique (INIT) and sacroiliacjoint (SU) adjustive therapy was more effective than the INIT applied in isolation, in the treatment of the Gluteus Medius myofascial pain and dysfunction syndrome (OMMPDS). Participants were recruited using advertisement posters placed throughout the University of Johannesburg Doomfontcin Campus and were treated at the University of Johannesburg Chiropractic Day Clinic. Thirty participants, between the ages of eighteen and fifty years, who were suffering from lower back pain and presented with Gluteus Medius rnyofascial trigger points (Trl's) and an SIJ dysfunction were selected for the study. They wcre randomly assigned into one of two groups, consisting of fifteen subjects each. as they entered into thestudy. Group one received the INIT to the affected Gluteus Medius muscle. Group two received a combination of the INIT to the affected Gluteus Medius muscle and an SIJ adjustment. Patients attended four sessions over a period ofeight days and were treated on all of these sessions. Subjective and objective data were recorded on all sessions. Subjective data was recorded using the McGill Pain Questionnaire and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale. Objective data was recorded using the Universal Goniometer, to measure hip ranges of motion of the affected Gluteus Medius muscle, and the Wagner Pressure Algometer to measure pain-pressure threshold of the affected Gluteus Medius muscle Trl's, All of the data were statistically analyzed using Repeated Measures and Independent t-Tcsts, P-values were calculated to determine the statistical significance of the datu. The results of the study indicate that both treatment methods nrc effective in treating GMMPDS. However a combined treatment approach of INIT and SIJ adjustive therapy was more effective in achieving a greater therapeutic response compared to INIT alone.

M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / There is research to show that ischaemic compression is very effective in the treatment of myofascial trigger points (MFTP’s). It is less invasive when compared to other treatment methods such as dry needling however; according to Gulick (2010) there is a lack of randomised controlled studies with regard to standard ischaemic compression treatment protocols. This includes the appropriate amount of pressure, duration of compression or frequency of treatment (Gulick, 2010). This study was conducted in order to determine whether ischaemic compression that is applied at pain threshold would have a similar effect when compared to ischaemic compression at pain tolerance in the treatment of active rhomboid major and minor myofascial trigger points, using a hand held algometer. This study was specifically undertaken to provide more information regarding the most effective method of ischaemic compression with regard to the amount of pressure that is most suitable during treatment. The results of this study could potentially improve patient comfort and reduce pain during treatment by showing that treatment at pain threshold may be as effective as conventional ischaemic compression at pain tolerance. It was hypothesized that ischaemic compression applied at pain threshold may have a similar effect as application at pain tolerance by having a positive outcome on the subjective and objective findings in patients with active myofascial trigger points of the rhomboid major and minor muscles. Participants were recruited into the study by word of mouth as well as with the use of advertisements that were placed around the University of Johannesburg Doornfontein campus and clinic. Thirty participants that conformed to the specified limitations and diagnostic criteria were accepted to partake in this study. The participants were then placed in a random and stratified manner into two groups of 15, based on age and gender. Group A received ischaemic compression of the rhomboid major and minor muscles at pain threshold while Group B received ischaemic compression of the same muscles at pain tolerance. Ischaemic compression was administered over a 30 second duration. Each participant received 2 treatments a week for 3 weeks while a 7th and final visit served only for measurement taking.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic at Technikon Natal, 1998. / Myofascial syndrome is a very common condition which is frequently encountered at Chiropractic clinics. It is also a very complex condition and as such is a very frustrating one to treat effectively. Tens is resegnised as a clinically effective modality in the treatment of Myofascial syndrome, however guidelines with respect to the most effective electrode placements are lacking. / M

A dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the Master's Diploma in Technology: Chiropractic at Technikon Natal, 1995. / The aim of this study was to determine whether the use of Interferential Current provided a non-invasive alternative to Dry Needling Agitation in the treatment of Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction Syndrome. A randomised Experimental Method of Single- Variable design was undertaken using the before-and-after-withcontrol design. / M

M.Tech. / The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two different treatment methods for myofascial pain and dysfunction syndrome of the Gluteus Medius muscle. This was done in order to determine whether or not a combined treatment of the integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique (INIT) and sacroiliac joint (SIJ) adjustive therapy was more effective than the INIT applied in isolation, in the treatment of the Gluteus Medius myofascial pain and dysfunction syndrome (GMMPDS). Participants were recruited using advertisement posters placed throughout the University of Johannesburg Doornfontein Campus and were treated at the University of Johannesburg Chiropractic Day Clinic. Thirty participants, between the ages of eighteen and fifty years, who were suffering from lower back pain and presented with Gluteus Medius myofascial trigger points (TrPs) and an SIJ dysfunction were selected for the study. They were randomly assigned into one of two groups, consisting of fifteen subjects each, as they entered into the study. Group one received the INIT to the affected Gluteus Medius muscle. Group two received a combination of the INIT to the affected Gluteus Medius muscle and an SIJ adjustment. Patients attended four sessions over a period of eight days and were treated on all of these sessions. Subjective and objective data were recorded on all sessions. Subjective data was recorded using the McGill Pain Questionnaire and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale. Objective data was recorded using the Universal Goniometer, to measure hip ranges of motion of the affected Gluteus Medius muscle, and the Wagner Pressure Algometer to measure pain-pressure threshold of the affected Gluteus Medius muscle TrPs. All of the data were statistically analyzed using Repeated Measures and Independent t-Tests. P-values were calculated to determine the statistical significance of the data. The results of the study indicate that both treatment methods are effective in treating GMMPDS, however a combined treatment approach of INIT and SIJ adjustive therapy was more effective in achieving a greater therapeutic response compared to INIT alone.

M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / Purpose: The aim of this comparative study was to compare the effects of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) versus myofascial dry needling of quadratus lumborum in the treatment of myofascial trigger points (TrPs), with regards to pain, disability and lumbar spine range of motion. Method: Thirty participants, male and female between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years, with an active quadratus lumborum TrP were used in this study. The thirty participants were randomly divided into two groups consisting of fifteen individuals each, ensuring equal male to female and age ratios. Group 1 received treatment in the form of MET. Group 2 received treatment in the form of myofascial dry needling. The trial consisted of five visits over a treatment period of two weeks, of which the first four visits the participants received treatment and the fifth visit served the purpose of obtaining the final data. The data was gathered on the first, third and fifth visits. The data was gathered before the treatment was performed. Objective data consisted of measuring lumbar spine range of motion with a digital inclinometer and pain pressure threshold using an algometer. Subjective data was obtained by using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Oswestry Disablity Index for Lower Back Pain (ODI). Results: The results were interpreted by STATKON at the University of Johannesburg. Both groups improved significantly in both the objective and subjective measurements over the two week trial period. This indicted that both treatment interventions were effective in the treatment of active quadratus lumborum TrPs. The results also indicated that group 2 (myofascial dry needling) was statistically superior to group 1 (MET) with regards to the subjective and lumbar spine range of motion measurements obtained during the study. There was no statistical superiority between the two treatment interventions with regards to the pain pressure threshold values obtained. These results indicate that dry needling is more effective than MET in decreasing pain and disability, while increasing lumbar spine range motion due to active quadratus lumborum TrPs. Conclusion: It was concluded, based on the results, that myofascial dry needling was more effective than MET with regards to the subjective pain, disability and lumbar spine range of motion. However with regards to pain pressure threshold values, there was no superiority of either treatment. This study suggests that myofascial dry needling is a preferential treatment option than MET in the case of active quadratus lumborum TrPs as it is possible that dry needling alone is more effective in reducing pain, disability and increasing lumbar spine range of motion. However this does not rule out MET as treatment for active TrPs as objectively MET reduces objective pain as effectively as dry needling.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic)-Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2003 xv, 102 leaves / The purpose of this study was to determine the relative effectiveness of TENS electrodryneedling as compared to single dry needle insertion in the treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome.