This consisted of sustained deep pressure with the
thumb to the upper trapezius TrP for 30 s—1 min.
Pressure was released when there was decreased
Immediate effect of ischaemic compression and trigger point pressure release 31
to trigger point pressure release was 1.68 (95% CI 0.41—6.88). The odds ratio for
improvement with ischaemic compression compared to sham ultrasound was 5.01
(95% CI 1.19—21.06). A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated there was no
statistically significant difference beyond chance in pain level, lateral flexion or pain
threshold among the groups (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: Ischaemic compression is superior to sham ultrasound in immediately
reducing pain in patients with non-specific neck pain and upper trapezius trigger
points. Further research is needed to determine if there is a difference between
ischaemic compression and trigger point pressure release.
# 2007 The College of Chiropractors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
tension in the TrP or when the TrP was no longer
tender or one minute had elapsed, whichever
occurred first.7,8 The procedure was similar to the
method as described by Dr. Raymond Nimmo.16