COMPARISON BETWEEN THE EFFECT OF POSITIONAL RELEASE TECHNIQUE AND MYOFASCIAL RELEASE TECHNIQUE ON UPPER TRAPEZIUS AND LEVATOR SCAPULAE LATENT TRIGGER POINTS IN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

BACKGROUND: Many studies suggest that myofascial pain syndrome is an important source of musculoskeletal dysfunction. Also, on examining the trigger points, highest prevalence was seen in upper trapezius which was 94.79% followed by neck extensors 72.97% and levator scapulae 63.54%. Positional release technique and Myofascial release technique both have been used individually on both active and latent trigger points and have shown their effects on pain, functional disability and movement restriction.  With considering the previous literature, aim of the study is to compare the effect of positional release technique and myofascial release technique on upper trapezius and levator scapulae latent trigger points in undergraduate students. METHODOLOGY: 40 subjects fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected and randomly allocated into two groups via chit method. All the subjects were assessed for pain using VAS, neck disability using Neck Disability Index and cervical range of motion using goniometer before initiating the treatment. Group A was given Positional release technique along with conventional exercises of cervical movements and shoulder girdle exercises. Group B was given Myofascial release technique along with same conventional exercises.  Data was collected and analysed. There was not a statistically significant difference when post scores of Group A and Group B were compared for pain, neck disability and cervical range of motion. On comparing the differences of scores of Group A and group B, statistically significant difference was seen only in cervical flexion range of motion (p<0.0016), cervical right rotation (p<0.0002) and left lateral flexion (p<0.0062) showing better results in Group A than Group B. KEYWORDS: Myofascial trigger points, Positional release technique, Myofascial release technique, Visual analog scale, Neck disability index