A major goal of physical therapy is to reduce pain associated with trauma. Massaging tender spots to provide relief has been practiced since time immemorial. Ancient and traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine that emphasized acupuncture have documented sensitive areas and tender points on the human body. Over the centuries a body of lore has developed about the various kinds of pain and how they can be treated. The purpose of this investigator is to examine the effects of ischemic compression technique (IC) and stretching in isolation and in combination on the reduction of spontaneous electrical activity (SEA) and perceived pain in myofascial trigger points located in the upper trapezius muscle.
