Efficacy of Radial and Focused Extracorporeal Shock-Wave Therapy in Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is condition characterized by painful trigger points of common muscles, mostly seen in upper part of trapezius muscle. Pain radiates with palpation and autonomic and sensory findings accompanies frequently (1). MPS can cause many consequences that effects daily living activities and lead to decrease in quality of life. Pharmacological therapy, exercises, dry needling, acupuncture or physical therapy modalities can be utilized (2). Extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT) is a treatment method performed with the help of acustic waves created outside the body. Its effectiveness has been demonstrated in calcaneal spur, lateral epicondylitis, calcific tendinitis,fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome (3). There are radial and focused waves commonly used on trigger points, however the effectiveness when comparing two wave types was not shown in myofascial pain syndrome (4). This study aims to compare effectiveness of different ESWT waves in MPS.