Shockwave Therapy Outperforms Laser in Treating Myofascial Pain
Title of study: Comparative study of shockwave therapy and low-level laser therapy effects in patients with myofascial pain syndrome of the trapezius
Authors: Márta Király, Tamás Bender, Katalin Hodosi
A study compared the effects of shockwave therapy and laser therapy on pain, neck functionality, and quality of life in patients with myofascial pain syndrome of the trapezius. The participants were divided into two groups; one group received laser therapy, while the other received shockwave therapy. The patients received treatment once daily for three weeks. The study found that both therapies had a positive effect on pain tolerance, neck functionality, and quality of life. However, the group that received shockwave therapy demonstrated significantly better changes in pain tolerance, neck functionality, and in all domains using SF-36 QoL questionnaire. The only parameter in which the laser group showed significantly higher benefits was at week 15 for resting pain.
Myofascial pain syndrome is a condition characterized by chronic pain and muscle stiffness, which can be difficult to treat. The study suggests that shockwave therapy is more effective in treating myofascial pain syndrome than laser therapy. Shockwave therapy uses acoustic waves to stimulate healing and reduce pain, while laser therapy uses light to stimulate healing. Shockwave therapy is non-invasive, safe, and has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of musculoskeletal conditions.
The study’s results suggest that shockwave therapy is a promising treatment for myofascial pain syndrome, and can improve pain tolerance, neck functionality, and quality of life.