The effectivity of two selected rehabilitation methods used for decreasing Muscle tone: a pilot study
Abstract
Muscle tone is a subject of research for the whole population. Increased muscle tone can be found in muscles, also in healthy subjects.
Two commonly used methods were studied: sauna-therapy, which is commonly used by the general population and dry needling, which is commonly used by therapists to decrease muscle tone and relieve pain. For this purpose, a prototype device "myotonometer" was developed to measure the viscoelastic properties of soft tissues.
The impact of sauna usage on muscle tension has been assessed, which occurred after short term maximal anaerobic exercise in comparison with passive rest. It has also been assessed the impact of dry needling on muscle tension.
The surprising finding was that after a short maximal anaerobic load increased muscle tonus was expected, but according to results it did not necessarily occur - but contrary, this tonus may even decrease. The values of muscle tone after load were opposite to expectations and thus affected the measurements of sauna-therapy.
Earlier, the hypothesis was that significantly increased muscle tone after exercise will decrease using sauna-therapy significantly more then during passive rest. This could not be confirmed.
Because values of muscle tone in participants with trigger points show a decrease after dry needling in most cases, it should be reconfirmed in further studies. Key