Efficacy of Myofascial Release vs. Therapeutic Ultrasound in Treating Trapezius Trigger Points in Athletes

A randomized clinical trial found that targeted myofascial release produced greater pain reduction and functional improvement than stretching plus therapeutic ultrasound in amateur overhead athletes with active upper trapezius trigger points. This population commonly experiences sport-related shoulder and neck soft‑tissue pain; this trial identifies a manual‑therapy approach that may improve pain and function in that clinical setting.

The trial was a randomized, two‑arm comparison of targeted myofascial release plus high‑powered pulsed therapeutic ultrasound versus stretching plus the same ultrasound. Primary endpoints were pain intensity and function—cervical range of motion and the Neck Disability Index—with assessments at baseline, week 1, week 2, and one‑week follow‑up. Objective instruments included the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, a universal goniometer for range of motion, Vernier calipers for muscle length, and the NDI questionnaire.

The trial demonstrated greater pain reduction with myofascial release combined with therapeutic ultrasound versus stretching plus the same ultrasound. Between‑group differences at follow‑up favored the myofascial‑release arm for VAS pain (MD ≈ −0.77; 95% CI −1.31 to −0.39), cervical range of motion (MD ≈ 2.69°), muscle length (MD ≈ 0.80 cm), and Neck Disability Index (MD ≈ −4.70). Pairwise comparisons reported large effect sizes and statistical significance.

Secondary analyses did not show a clear difference in return‑to‑play timing within the short follow‑up window, and reported adverse events were minimal and tolerable. Because both arms received identical therapeutic‑ultrasound exposure, the trial isolates the manual technique as the likely differentiator—supporting the view that ultrasound functioned as an adjunct rather than the primary driver of the between‑group benefit.