Shoulder pain is quite common in society. Many people resort to the use of prescription drugs or surgery for shoulder pain. This is not always necessary, however. A study was conducted to look at the effects of myofascial therapy on shoulder trigger points in patients with chronic shoulder pain. There were two groups- one group received treatments that consisted of ischemic compression (a massage therapy technique) to trigger points (hyperirritable, taut bands) in the rotator cuff muscles, the deltoid muscle and biceps tendon. The control group received treatment to trigger points in the neck and upper back.

The results of the study showed that the group who received the therapy to the shoulder muscles experienced a significant reduction in their Shoulder Pain and Disability Index scores compared to the control group.

Chronic Shoulder Pain of Myofascial Origin: A Randomized Clinic Trial Using Ischemic Compression Therapy. Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics 2010; 33:362-369