The effectiveness of deep tissue massage on pain, trigger point, disability, range of motion and quality of life in individuals with myofascial pain syndrome.

PURPOSE: This study aims to examine the effect of deep tissue massage (DTM) on the myofascial trigger point (MTrP) number, neck range of motion (ROM), pain, disability and quality of life in patients with Myofacial pain syndrome (MPS). METHODS: The study involved patients with MPS between the ages of 20-57. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (n = 40) and the study group (n = 40). Transcutaneous Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation (TENS), hotpack and ultrasound were applied to 40 patients in the control group. The study group was also administered DTM for 12 sessions in addition to TENS, hotpack and ultrasound applications. Neck pain and disability scale (NPDS) for a neck disability, universal goniometer for neck ROM, MTrP count using manual palpation, Short Form 36 (SF-36) for quality of life and severity of neck pain were evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS). All patients were evaluated before and after treatment. RESULTS: It was found that the DTM group has statistically more improvement than the control group for VAS, NPDS and SF-36. Moreover, although there was a significant improvement in favour of the study group for extension, lateral flexion, right rotation and left rotation in the neck ROM, there was no significant difference in flexion measurements between the study and control group. CONCLUSION: In addition to the traditional rehabilitation program, DTM is effective on neck ROM, pain, disability and quality of life. Therefore, DTM treatment is a safe and inexpensive treatment method that can be applied in patients with MPS.

Effects of deep tissue massage on pain and comfort after cesarean: A randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: In this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of deep tissue massage (DTM) applied by midwife on pain and comfort after cesarean section. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial conducted with experimental and control groups. The data were collected using a personal information form, visual analogue scale (VAS), the Postpartum Comfort Questionnaire (PPCQ). DTM was applied to participants in the experimental group twice (at the 10th and 22nd h) after cesarean. No applications were performed in the control group. RESULTS: According to the measurements, the mean VAS score of the mother in the experimental group was lower than that of the control group (17.51 ± 6.15, 56.16 ± 9.53; respectively) and PPCQ total and sub-dimension mean scores were found to be statistically significant in favor of the experimental group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: It was indicated that DTM application decreased the levels of pain and increased the comfort levels of the women who had cesarean sections.

Deep tissue massage: What are we talking about?

BACKGROUND: Massage is a common treatment in complementary and integrative medicine. Deep tissue massage, a form of therapeutic massage, has become more and more popular in recent years. Hence, the use of massage generally and deep tissue massage specifically, should be evaluated as any other modality of therapy to establish its efficacy and safety. AIM: To determine the definitions used for deep tissue massage in the scientific literature and to review the current scientific evidence for its efficacy and safety. METHODS: Narrative review. RESULTS: There is no commonly accepted definition of deep tissue massage in the literature. The definition most frequently used is the intention of the therapist. We suggest separating the definitions of deep massage and deep tissue massage as follows: deep massage should be used to describe the intention of the therapist to treat deep tissue by using any form of massage and deep tissue massage should be used to describe a specific and independent method of massage therapy, utilizing the specific set of principles and techniques as defined by Riggs: "The understanding of the layers of the body, and the ability to work with tissue in these layers to relax, lengthen, and release holding patterns in the most effective and energy efficient way possible within the client's parameters of comfort". Heterogeneity of techniques and protocols used in published studies have made it difficult to draw any clear conclusions. Favorable outcomes may result from deep tissue massage in pain populations and patients with decreased range of motion. In addition, several rare serious adverse events were found related to deep tissue massage, probably as a result of the forceful application of massage therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Future research of deep tissue massage should be based on a common definition, classification system and the use of common comparators as controls.