Laser therapy and needling in myofascial trigger point deactivation

Area of Science:

• Physiotherapy
• Pain Management
• Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background:

• Myofascial trigger points (MTPs) are a common cause of muscle pain.
• Effective deactivation of MTPs is crucial for pain relief and improved function.
• Various treatment modalities exist, but their comparative efficacy requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of laser therapy and needle treatment for deactivating myofascial trigger points (MTPs) in the masseter muscle.
• To evaluate pain perception and pressure pain threshold changes following different MTP deactivation approaches.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled study involving 21 women with bilateral masseter MTPs.
• Three groups were assigned: laser therapy, needle treatment (with anesthetic injection), and a control group.
• Four treatment sessions were administered with 48–72 hour intervals, followed by quantitative and qualitative pain assessments.

Main Results:

• Both laser therapy and needle treatment groups showed a significant decrease in pain (P < 0.05) compared to the control group.
• Needling with anesthetic injection and laser therapy at 4 J/cm² demonstrated a significant increase in pressure pain threshold (P = 0.0469 and P = 0.0156, respectively).

Conclusions:

• Four sessions of needling with 2% lidocaine injection (without a vasoconstrictor) or laser therapy at 4 J/cm² are effective for deactivating myofascial trigger points.
• These specific protocols offer viable treatment options for masseter MTPs, leading to pain reduction and improved mechanical function.