Percutaneous Microelectrolysis (MEP) Versus Ischemic Compression in Miofascial Trigger Points

The Percutaneous Microelectrolysis ® (MEP®) is a technique that employs a galvanic current up to 990 uA, which is applied percutaneously with an acupuncture needle connected to the cathode. Although it is used in tendinopathies, trigger points and muscle injuries, among other conditions, its bases are mostly empirical and there is lack of evidence. Ischemic compression is a manual therapy that is usually applied in muscle pain. Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) usually presents painful myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). One methodology used to quantify the pain in MPS is the algometry, which measures the pressure pain threshold (PPT). The aim of this study was to compare the effects of MEP® with ischemic compression on MTrPs with algometry.