Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) is one of the most common causes of chronic pain, involving muscle stiffness, tenderness, and pain that radiates to other areas.
Around 30% to 93% of individuals with musculoskeletal pain have MPS. It makes up approximately 15% of consultations in primary care and up to 90% of patients treated in pain clinics.
MPS in the neck and shoulder is typically associated with prolonged computer work and jobs with static neck and shoulder positions.
Some treatments for MPS include low-level laser therapy (LLLT), dry needling (DN), ultrasound therapy, and exercise. While these treatments may help some patients, shockwaves have been shown to significantly improve function and lower pain in a shorter amount of time.
Shockwaves are sound waves that pass through damaged tissue, fat, bone, and muscle to stimulate cell regeneration which repairs, strengthens, and slows down the deterioration of your tissues.
In a clinical study involving 505 participants, 231 received shockwave and 274 received other treatments such as LLLT, DN, US, and exercise. Follow-ups to measure pain levels ranged from 2-4 weeks.
The results of the study show that focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy had a significant effect on improving pain, and pressure pain threshold at postintervention in comparison with that of other treatments.
In Conclusion: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is superior to other treatments in terms of alleviating pain for patients with myofascial pain syndrome in the neck and shoulder.
Source: https://journals.lww.com/ajpmr/fulltext/2021/02000/the_effect_of_extracorporeal_shock_wave_therapy_on.5.aspx
