Sensory and emotional responses to deep pressure stimulation at myofascial trigger points: a pilot study

Objective Although manual pressure, such as that used during a massage, is often associated with pain, it can simultaneously be perceived pleasant when applied to certain body areas. We hypothesized stimulation of myofascial trigger points (TPs) leads simultaneous pain and pleasure. TPs are hyperirritable located in the taut band skeletal muscle. Method In this study, we measured muscle tone, stiffness, pressure threshold control left brachioradialis 48 healthy participants. also deep compression two collected subjective data on pleasantness, unpleasantness, relief. Result Greater stiffness was observed versus ( t = 6.55, p < 0.001), significantly lower −6.21, 0.001). Unpleasantness ratings after were compared −2.68, 0.05). Participants experienced greater relief at 2.01, 0.05), although did not differ between types points. Conclusion properties points, found higher tone unpleasantness ratings, These findings suggest that, least for some TPs, pleasantness elicited by stimulation.