Efectos de la diatermia y la punción seca en los puntos gatillo miofasciales del gastrocnemio medial en jugadores de baloncesto profesional. Variaciones en el rango de movimiento, temperatura, hiperalgesia y baropodometría

Abstract

Introduction. Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a clinical condition characterized by musculoskeletal pain caused by myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). Diathermy is a form of noninvasive electro-thermal therapy classified as deep thermotherapy, it is characterized by immediate effects, and its being used by high performance athletes. Dry needling (DS) is considered a safe and effective method to reduce MPS and improve its functionality, by eliciting a local contraction response. Methods. To analyze the effects produced by dry needling and diathermy produces on latent trigger points in the Medial Gastrocnemius (MG), observe what alterations occur on ROM, temperature, VAS and on plantar pressures in professional basketball players. The effects generated by the PS, diathermy and CONTROL group at the musculoskeletal level were evaluated in 52 participants, professional basketball players in three interventions groups. The respective groups were: Diathermy intervention group; dry needling intervention group and CONTROL group, after application the effects of the Lunge test (LT), infrared thermography (IT), pressure threshold and baropodometry were evaluated. Results. After the intervention, an increase in absolute temperature was identified in the Diathermy Group compared to the dry needling and CONTROL group. There were no differences between the Diathermy and CONTROL in the Lunge Test, but respectively similar changes in dry needling and diathermy group. Regarding VAS through the algometry there were differences in the diathermy group. Conclusions. Diathermy can induce changes in the absolute temperature of the MG. In the rest of the variables, no short-term differences are obtained. In future research, assess whether this technique produces long-term changes in patients.