Anatomical angles, gender, and physical activity can be considered when diagnosing and treating cervical myofascial pain.
The Journal of Clinical Medicine recently published a study analyzing the relationship between the Frankfort plane and the presence of myofascial trigger points contributing to cervical myofascial pain.
Darío Sánchez-Guilabert and Angel Martínez-Carrasco conducted an observational study, where the people with cervical pain underwent a photographic evaluation of the Frankfort plane inclination. At the same time, myofascial trigger points in the posterior cervical musculature were palpated and measured using a pressure algometer at three cervical locations on both the left and right sides.
Forty-seven subjects with at least a single episode of cervical pain were included. Statistically significant outcomes were found in these pairs:
Additionally, the Frankfort plane positively correlated with myofascial trigger points, particularly on the right side.
The study concluded that a greater Frankfort plane angle was associated with reduced myofascial pain, whereas a smaller angle corresponded to increased pain. Females exhibited a lower pressure pain threshold compared to males, predisposing them to more myofascial cervical pain. Subjects engaging in sports at least three times per week had a higher pressure pain threshold and less neck pain. Surprisingly, excessive electronic device uses and study hours were not meaningfully associated with increased neck pain.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Correlations between the Frankfort Plane and the Presence of Myofascial Trigger Points in Posterior Cervical Musculature: An Exploratory Study
Darío Sánchez-Guilabert et. al.
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