A dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban Institute Of Technology, 2006. / Purpose Repetitive strain injuries, especially rotator cuff tendonitis, are increasing and reaching epidemic proportions in certain industries and in most industrialized countries (Yassi et al. 1996). Fatigue of the rotator cuff allows the humeral head to translate anteriorly, with resultant mechanical impingement of the supraspinatus tendon. At this point inflammatory changes become evident (Fu et al. 1995). According to Greenman (1996), muscle energy technique (MET) is a 'manual medicine treatment procedure that involves the voluntary contraction of a patients muscle in a precisely controlled direction, at varying levels of intensity, against a distinctively executed counterforce applied by the operator.' It has been hypothesized that MET can be used to lengthen and strengthen muscles, to increase fluid mechanics and decrease local edema, and to mobilize a restricted articulation (Greenman 1996). However, these statements have been made in the absence or appropriate research in order to support such statements, therefore. the aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of Muscle Energy Technique in the treatment of rotator cuff tendonitis in terms of subjective and objective clinical findings. Methods Objective measures included: Diagnostic ultrasound which was used to evaluate changes in inflammation and thickness of the involved tendon, the algometer was used to assess point tenderness, whilst inclinometer readings were taken to evaluate the associated changes in range of motion that may have taken placei / M

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic at the Durban Institute of Technology, 2008. / Purpose Cricket fast bowlers are prone to the development of Myofascial pain syndrome and in particular active myofascial trigger points in their rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder joint (Scott, et al. 2001). This is due to the severe stresses placed upon the muscles, bones and joints of the shoulder as a result of the high velocity throwing action (Bartlett, et al.1996). In muscles containing active myofascial trigger points a decrease in the stretch range of motion as well as the maximal contractile force is noted, these two factors may negatively affect the speed at which a fast bowler deliver the ball (Travell, Simons and Simons, 1999). Dry needling is viewed as the most effective means of deactivating myofascial trigger points leading to in increase in both the contractile force and range of motion of the affected muscle, which could increase the speed at which the bowler delivers the ball (Wilks, 2003). The aim of the study was to determine the immediate effect of dry needling active myofascial trigger points of the rotator cuff on bowling speed in action cricket fast bowlers. Method The study consisted of 40 participants (randomly split into two equal groups of 20) each with shoulder pain of a myofascial origin. Group A (intervention group) received the dry needling intervention in their most tender active myofascial trigger point. While participants in Group B (control group) received no treatment. Bowling speeds were measured both before and after the intervention, to determine its effect on bowling speed. IV Data was entered into MS Exel spreadsheet and imported into SPSS version 15 (SPSS Inc.,Chicago, Iiiinois, USA), which was used for data analysis. Paticipants were evaluated on bowling speed, Algometer readings and Numerical pain rating Scale (NRS) both pre and post intervention. Participants were also asked if they believed the intervention increased, decreased or had no effect on their bowling speeds. Two sample t-test was used to compare baseline values between the groups. A repeated measure ANOVA was used to compare the rate of change of each outcome over time in the two groups. Pearson’s correlation analysis (intra-group) was used to assess the strength and magnitude of correlations of the changes in the outcomes. The McNemar – Bowker test and Weighted Cohen’s kappa statistics were calculated to assess agreement between perceived and actual levels of change. Results A significant treatment effect was observed in the intervention group were an increase in bowling speed, algometer readings as well a decrease in Numerical pain rating scale(NRS) scores was observed. There was also a perceived increase in the speed the participants delivered the ball in the intervention group. No significant changes were observed in the control group. The findings of this study indicate that dry needling as a treatment modality would be beneficial to fast bowlers in not only increasing their speeds but also the pain experienced as a result of active myofascial trigger points.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic at the Durban Institute of Technology, 2008. / Purpose Cricket fast bowlers are prone to the development of Myofascial pain syndrome and in particular active myofascial trigger points in their rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder joint (Scott, et al. 2001). This is due to the severe stresses placed upon the muscles, bones and joints of the shoulder as a result of the high velocity throwing action (Bartlett, et al.1996). In muscles containing active myofascial trigger points a decrease in the stretch range of motion as well as the maximal contractile force is noted, these two factors may negatively affect the speed at which a fast bowler deliver the ball (Travell, Simons and Simons, 1999). Dry needling is viewed as the most effective means of deactivating myofascial trigger points leading to in increase in both the contractile force and range of motion of the affected muscle, which could increase the speed at which the bowler delivers the ball (Wilks, 2003). The aim of the study was to determine the immediate effect of dry needling active myofascial trigger points of the rotator cuff on bowling speed in action cricket fast bowlers. Method The study consisted of 40 participants (randomly split into two equal groups of 20) each with shoulder pain of a myofascial origin. Group A (intervention group) received the dry needling intervention in their most tender active myofascial trigger point. While participants in Group B (control group) received no treatment. Bowling speeds were measured both before and after the intervention, to determine its effect on bowling speed. IV Data was entered into MS Exel spreadsheet and imported into SPSS version 15 (SPSS Inc.,Chicago, Iiiinois, USA), which was used for data analysis. Paticipants were evaluated on bowling speed, Algometer readings and Numerical pain rating Scale (NRS) both pre and post intervention. Participants were also asked if they believed the intervention increased, decreased or had no effect on their bowling speeds. Two sample t-test was used to compare baseline values between the groups. A repeated measure ANOVA was used to compare the rate of change of each outcome over time in the two groups. Pearson’s correlation analysis (intra-group) was used to assess the strength and magnitude of correlations of the changes in the outcomes. The McNemar – Bowker test and Weighted Cohen’s kappa statistics were calculated to assess agreement between perceived and actual levels of change. Results A significant treatment effect was observed in the intervention group were an increase in bowling speed, algometer readings as well a decrease in Numerical pain rating scale(NRS) scores was observed. There was also a perceived increase in the speed the participants delivered the ball in the intervention group. No significant changes were observed in the control group. The findings of this study indicate that dry needling as a treatment modality would be beneficial to fast bowlers in not only increasing their speeds but also the pain experienced as a result of active myofascial trigger points.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements fo the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / Background Competitive swimming, as with most other sports that are participated in at more than a recreational level, involves a substantial amount of training. Training excessively results in the overuse of muscles. The overuse of muscles commonly causes the production of myofascial trigger points (MFTPs) within the overworked muscles. The presence of MFTPs is a condition known as myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). Myofascial trigger points may be active or latent. Either way, they produce a wide range of effects. This study focuses on the effect of reduced muscle strength. Muscle strength is essential to athletes as it determines performance. Swimmers with MFTPs will not perform at their full ability. Dry needling is an effective form of treatment for MFTPs as it produces immediate relief from the effects of MFTPs. There is not enough information on the immediate effects of dry needling on athlete performance. Since dry needling brings about the immediate relief of MFTPs, this study aims to restore a swimmer’s muscle power and hence improvement of their swimming performance post-intervention. Aim The aim of this study was to determine the immediate effect of dry needling common myofascial trigger points (MFTP) found in four muscles of the shoulder girdle on competitive swimmers’ 100m freestyle lap-times. Methods The design was a pre-test post-test quasi-experimental study. Thirty five competitive swimmers between the ages of 16 and 30 years old participated in this study. Each participant underwent one assessment. Participants’ lap-times were taken using a Sportline Econosport Stopwatch. The pre- and post-intervention lap-times were compared to each other using statistical analysis. The intervention for the purpose of the study was trigger point dry needling. Myofascial trigger points were assessed using manual palpation and the Myofascial Diagnostic Scale (MDS). Results The median lap time was slightly longer post intervention (0:01:16.10) than pre-intervention (0:01:16.03), and was highly statistically significant (p=0.001). The results of the study were inconclusive, however, as there were too many confounding variables (for example, fatigue due to repeatedly swimming laps, swimmers of a lower caliber and hence quicker fatigue rate being included in the study)which negated the effect of dry needling and so the poorer performance of the participants post-intervention could not be attributed entirely to the intervention. A small number of participant’s lap-times decreased post-intervention i.e. they performed better post-intervention. These individualswere predominantly sprint-swimmers. Conclusion Dry needling negatively affects immediate lap-time performance. Future studies should reduce the number of variables affecting the study, for example, having a sprinter versus long-distance swimmer group, testing the outcome of dry needling after the swimmer has had sufficient time (for example, a day) to rest post-intervention. / M