Myofascial Trigger Points Therapy Modifies Thermal Map of Gluteal Region

BACKGROUND: Thermal imaging may be effectively used in musculoskeletal system diagnostics and therapy evaluation; thus, it may be successfully applied in myofascial trigger points assessment. OBJECTIVE: Investigation of thermal pattern changes after myofascial trigger points progressive compression therapy in healthy males and females. METHODS: The study included 30 healthy people (15 females and 15 males) with age range 19–34 years (mean age: 23.1 ± 4.21). Thermograms of myofascial trigger points were taken pre- and posttherapy and consecutively in the 15(th) and 30(th) minutes. Pain reproducible by palpation intensity was assessed with numeric rating scale. RESULTS: Progressive compression therapy leads to myofascial trigger points temperature (p=0.02) and surface (p=0.02) and surface (p=0.02) and surface (p=0.02) and surface ( CONCLUSIONS: The study indicates that myofascial trigger points reaction to applied therapy spreads in time and space and depends on participants' sex.