ANALYSIS OF THE ACUTE EFFECT OF ACUPRESSION AND CUPPING THERAPY TECHNIQUES APPLIED TO TRIGGER POINTS IN THE CERVICAL REGION OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS (Atena Editora)

Abstract

Cervical pain is a current problem with several associated factors, which predispose the appearance of trigger points. The myofascial trigger point is defined as a tactile nodule located in a tension band in the muscle, which produces a pain pattern recognized by the patient spontaneously, under pressure from the therapist's fingers or use of a specific device. The diagnosis of the trigger point is clinical in nature, with the possibility of quantifying the pain condition. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure and cupping therapy techniques in reducing the pain threshold in trigger points, in the cervical region of university students and to compare the techniques. For the development, 14 university students were selected at the Teaching Clinic of the UNIFAFIBE University Center, who were randomly divided into Acupressure Group and Cupping Therapy Group. Participants underwent an evaluation process using the visual analogue scale, Neck Pain, SF-12 and pressure algometry. After the pre-experimental evaluations, the participants received the applications of acupressure and cupping therapy techniques, which were performed in a single session. At the end of the intervention, the evaluation procedures were performed again in order to compare the scenario before and after application of the techniques. In view of the results, it was possible to observe the reduction of pain with the application of acupressure or cupping therapy. When comparing which technique produces better results, it was observed that there were no significant differences. In view of the above, it is suggested that the application of these techniques improves the pain in a single session.