Objectifiable measurement of tissue tension with the tissue tensiometer (TTM). Comparison with the TTM of trigger point region and reference region in trigger point-associated pain syndromes of the locomotor system - a pilot study

摘要

Trigger points, which are small, palpable indurated nodules in the muscle that radiate pain, play an important role in manual medicine because they are usually associated with other functional disorders of the locomotor system. A measuring device to determine tissue tension, a tissue tensiometer (TTM), was developed to objectify these points. In a pilot study, the tissue tension was measured at the trigger points, in the surrounding area, on a muscle for comparison, and after treatment. In 82 of the cases the palpated trigger points corresponded to those measured. In 90 of the cases the tissue tension at the site of the trigger point was reduced after treatment. In the tissue surrounding the trigger point, no change in tissue tension was observed after treatment of the trigger points. The results show that trigger points can be verified with the TTM. Likewise the treatment effects obtained with local postisometric relaxation according to Lewit could be confirmed. The TTM appears to be suitable for "objectifying" palpable trigger points for study purposes.