scholarly journals Myelinated Afferents Are Involved in Pathology of the Spontaneous Electrical Activity and Mechanical Hyperalgesia of Myofascial Trigger Spots in Rats

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei Meng ◽  
Hong-You Ge ◽  
Yong-Hui Wang ◽  
Shou-Wei Yue
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Activity ◽  
Behavioral Assessment ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Mechanical Hyperalgesia ◽  
Myofascial Trigger Points ◽  
Spontaneous Electrical Activity ◽  
Muscular Pain ◽  
Common Causes ◽  
Neurofilament 200 ◽  
Mechanical Pain Thresholds

Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are common causes for chronic pain. Myelinated afferents were considered to be related with muscular pain, and our clinical researches indicated they might participate in the pathology of MTrPs. Here, we applied myofascial trigger spots (MTrSs, equal to MTrPs in human) of rats to further investigate role of myelinated afferents. Modified pyridine-silver staining revealed more nerve endings at MTrSs than non-MTrSs (P<0.01), and immunohistochemistry with Neurofilament 200 indicated more myelinated afferents existed in MTrSs (P<0.01). Spontaneous electrical activity (SEA) recordings at MTrSs showed that specific block of myelinated afferents in sciatic nerve with tetrodotoxin (TTX) led to significantly decreased SEA (P<0.05). Behavioral assessment showed that mechanical pain thresholds (MPTs) of MTrSs were lower than those of non-MTrSs (P<0.01). Block of myelinated afferents by intramuscular TTX injection increased MPTs of MTrSs significantly (P<0.01), while MPTs of non-MTrSs first decreased (P<0.05) and then increased (P>0.05). 30 min after the injection, MPTs at MTrSs were significantly lower than those of non-MTrSs (P<0.01). Therefore, we concluded that proliferated myelinated afferents existed at MTrSs, which were closely related to pathology of SEA and mechanical hyperalgesia of MTrSs.

Needle Electromyographic Activity of Myofascial Trigger Points and Control Sites in Equine Cleido-Brachialis Muscle – An Observational Study

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Macgregor ◽  
Dietrich Graf von Schweinitz
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Electrical Activity ◽  
Muscle Tissue ◽  
Spike Activity ◽  
Trigger Point ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Myofascial Trigger Points ◽  
Spontaneous Electrical Activity

Background Myofascial trigger points are commonly described in humans, and many studies have shown abnormal spontaneous electrical activity, spike activity and local twitch responses at these sites. Myofascial trigger points have only rarely been described in horses, and studies of their electrophysiological characteristics have not previously been published. The objective of this study was to explore the electromyographic (EMG) and other characteristics of myofascial trigger points in equine muscle, and to compare them with normal muscle tissue. Methods Four horses with chronic pain signs and impaired performance were examined. They had previously been examined at the second author's practice, and showed signs compatible with the diagnosis of myofascial trigger points in their cleidobrachialis (brachiocephalic) muscle, ie localised tender spots in a taut band of skeletal muscle which produced a local twitch response on snapping palpation. They had therefore been selected for treatment with acupuncture. Needle EMG activity and twitch responses were recorded at 25 positions at the trigger point and at a nearby control point during the course of each horse's acupuncture treatment. Results All subjects demonstrated objective signs of spontaneous electrical activity, spike activity and local twitch responses at the myofascial trigger point sites within taut bands. The frequency of these signs was significantly greater at myofascial trigger points than at control sites (P<0.05). Conclusion Equine myofascial trigger points can be identified, and have similar objective signs and electrophysiological properties to those documented in human and rabbit skeletal muscle tissue. The important differences from findings in human studies are that referred pain patterns and the reproduction of pain profile cannot be determined in animals.

Myofascial Trigger Points: Pathophysiology and Correlation with Acupuncture Points

2000 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang-Zern Hong
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Electrical Activity ◽  
Science Studies ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Referred Pain ◽  
Acupuncture Points ◽  
Myofascial Trigger Points ◽  
Spontaneous Electrical Activity ◽  
Twitch Response ◽  
Active Locus

A review is made of recent studies on myofascial trigger points (MTrP) and their mechanism is discussed. Clinical and basic science studies have shown that there are multiple MTrP loci in a MTrP region. A MTrP locus contains a sensory component (sensitive locus) and a motor component (active locus). A sensitive locus is a point from which tenderness or pain, referred pain, and local twitch response can be elicited by mechanical stimulation. Sensitive loci (probably sensitised nociceptors) are widely distributed in the whole muscle, but are concentrated in the endplate zone. An active locus is a site from which spontaneous electrical activity can be recorded. Active loci appear to be dysfunctional endplates since spontaneous electrical activity is essentially the same as the electrical activity reported by neurophysiologists as that recorded from an abnormal endplate. A MTrP is always found in a taut band which is histologically related to contraction knots caused by excessive release of acetylcholine in abnormal endplates. Both referred pain and local twitch response are mediated through spinal cord mechanisms, as demonstrated in both human and animal studies. The pathogenesis of MTrPs appears to be related to integration in the spinal cord of response to the disturbance of nerve endings and abnormal contractile mechanism at multiple dysfunctional endplates. There are many similarities between MTrPs and acupuncture points including their location and distribution, pain and referred pain patterns, local twitch responses (de qi), and possible spinal cord mechanism.

scholarly journals Acupotomy Alleviates Energy Crisis at Rat Myofascial Trigger Points

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Yi Zhang ◽  
Ning-Yu Du ◽  
Chen Chen ◽  
Tong Wang ◽  
Li-Juan Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Model Group ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Myofascial Trigger Points ◽  
Sprague Dawley Rats ◽  
Lower Treatment ◽  
Lidocaine Injection ◽  
Mechanical Pain Thresholds

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of acupotomy on energy crises in rat trigger points (TrPs) by measuring mechanical pain thresholds (MPTs) and levels of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), free sarcoplasmic calcium (Ca2+), adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP), adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP), substance P (SP), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in rat muscle TrP tissue. Male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 32) were randomly divided into four groups: control, TrP, acupotomy, and lidocaine injection. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to measure AChE, and free sarcoplasmic Ca2+ concentrations were determined by fluorescent staining with Fura-2 AM; high-performance liquid chromatography was used to measure ATP and AMP, and SP and CGRP were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Compared with the control group, free sarcoplasmic Ca2+, AMP, SP, and CGRP were higher in the model group, while MPT, AChE, and ATP were lower. Treatment with acupotomy or lidocaine injection reduced free sarcoplasmic Ca2+, SP, and CGRP and increased MPTs and AChE levels compared with the model group. However, only acupotomy also led to decreased AMP and increased ATP levels relative to the model group. We conclude that acupotomy can alleviate energy crises at TrPs.

Fibromyalgia: A Review of Current Knowledge

1992 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Baldry
Keyword(s):  
Myofascial Pain ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Myofascial Pain Syndromes ◽  
Myofascial Trigger Points ◽  
Muscular Pain ◽  
Pain Syndromes ◽  
Disturbed Sleep ◽  
Specific Disorders

Muscular pain in the presence of a normal ESR has laboured under a variety of names and supposed causes, often being dismissed as psychogenic in origin. It is now clear that there are two specific disorders of body musculature, each with its own defined pattern of symptoms. Fibromyalgia is a disease of unknown aetiology, predominantly affecting women, that gives generalised muscular pain, a disturbed sleep pattern, morning stiffness and fatigue. Tender spots are found at certain charecteristic sites. The Myofascial Pain Syndromes, on the other hand, can usually be related to some form of trauma and are normally localised to particular muscles with readily palpable myofascial trigger points at specific spots according to the pattern of pain referral. Acupuncture may be a rapid and effective treatment for both disorders, often giving long lasting relief in Myofascial Pain Syndromes, but offering only repeated short term responses to Fibromyalgia sufferers.

Spontaneous Electrical Activity at Combined Acupuncture and Myofascial Trigger Point Sites

1996 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam A Ward
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Activity ◽  
Myofascial Pain ◽  
Trigger Point ◽  
Objective Measure ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Myofascial Trigger Point ◽  
Spontaneous Electrical Activity ◽  
Dynamic Relationship ◽  
Neck And Shoulder Pain ◽  
Myofascial Pain And Dysfunction

Small, localised areas of spontaneous electrical activity were found at combined acupuncture and myofascial trigger point sites, corresponding to Gall Bladder 21 in the Trapezius and Small Intestine 11 in the Infraspinatus, in patients with active myofascial neck and shoulder pain. The monopolar needle EMG techniques used to assess spontaneous electrical activity offer the possibility of providing an objective measure of both point activity and the effects of therapeutic intervention. Further studies are needed to examine not just the painful lesion itself, but its dynamic relationship with its corresponding spinal segment and associated higher centres. There are important similarities between acupuncture pain points and trigger points, and observations of both can be used profitably in further studies of myofascial pain and dysfunction.

scholarly journals Myofascial pain: A review - Part I

1992 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-25
Author(s):  
Shelley Pullen
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Myofascial Pain ◽  
Pain Syndrome ◽  
Myofascial Pain Syndrome ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Myofascial Trigger Points ◽  
Muscular Pain ◽  
Historical View

Myofascial pain syndrome is pain and/or autonomic phenomena referred from active myofascial trigger points with associated dysfunction.It has been said to affect human well-being and productivity even to the extent of driving some people to suicide.A literature review of myofascial pain is presented. An interesting historical view of muscular pain is discussed.

scholarly journals The relative effectiveness of laser versus dry needling in the treatment of myofasciitis

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Karen Janette Miller
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Relative Effectiveness ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Dry Needling ◽  
Myofascial Trigger Points ◽  
Muscular Pain ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Low Intensity Laser Therapy ◽  
Intensity Laser

This study compared the relative effectiveness of low intensity laser therapy as opposed to dry needling in the treatment of active myofascial trigger points. The purpose of this study was to determine the more effective method of treating active myofascial trigger points, in terms of subjective and objective clinical findings. This study was a comparative, uncontrolled, unblinded pilot study. It was also intended to expand upon the little understood pathophysiology and treatment of muscular pain, in both chiropractic and medical curricula (Gatterman 1990: 285).

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