Combined efficacy of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization and muscle energy technique in cervical myofascial pain: A case report

Abstract

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is one of the most evident musculoskeletal disorders encountered among students involved in higher education. Risk factors such as poor or abnormal posture and overuse activities can predispose to developing MPS. The present study aimed to find the efficacy of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization along with Muscle Energy Technique on cervical myofascial pain in university students. Pre and post-intervention assessments were done for pain, tenderness, range of motion in the cervical region, and high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (hsCRP). The patient received an Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and Muscle Energy Technique (MET) thrice a week for a month. Pain intensity and tenderness decreased notably; the C-spine range of motion increased after 4 weeks of treatment with IASTM and MET, and hs-CRP also lowered. Applying IASTM combined with MET can decrease pain intensity and improve the C-spine range of motion in a patient with myofascial pain, though a study in a large sample is needed.