Muscle Energy Techniques and Trigger Point Therapy in Asymptomatic Persons With Latent Trigger Point

The Contract-Relax Agonist-Contract (CRAC) technique will be used, which belongs to the broad MET group. The participant will be in the supine position. The therapist will set the cervical segment in the lateral flexion until a slight soft tissue tension is felt. The technique will consist of two stages. In the first phase (contraction phase), the upper trapezius will be activated against the therapist's resistance (shoulder girdle elevation) - 10 seconds. Then the person undergoing the procedure breathes in and out deeply. Then 10 seconds of antagonist group contraction (shoulder girdle depression) will be performed. Next, the therapist will passively move the participant's shoulder girdle towards the depression. Then the second phase will follow (stretching phase), during which the participant will passively lie in the back position for 30 seconds. Both phases will make up the therapeutic cycle. Each participant will have 5 cycles on each side of the upper trapezius.

The technique of Positional Release (PR) will be used, which is one of the broadly understood Trigger Point Therapy. It will consist in compressing the trigger point with a simultaneous shortening of muscle attachments (slight lateral flexion towards the relaxed muscle). The muscle on both sides will be treated. The pressure exerted by the therapist's pincer grip will be acceptable to the patient. The duration of the technique will be 2 minutes for each muscle. While performing this technique, the participant will passively lie on his back.

For this type of intervention, TPT will first be performed on both sides of the upper trapezius muscle, followed by MET, which will also be performed bilaterally. The detailed method of performing the applied therapeutic techniques for the combined procedure will be identical as in the case of isolated (single) methods.