Analgesic Effects of Percussive Massage Therapy Compared to Manual Myofascial Techniques in Myofascial Trigger Point Treatment: A crossover pilot study

Background Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are a frequent cause of musculoskeletal pain. Manual myofascial techniques (MMT) are widely used to reduce pain, but they require expertise and physical effort. Percussive massage therapy (PMT) has recently emerged as a device-assisted alternative, delivering rapid mechanical pulses that combine elements of deep tissue and vibration therapy. Although PMT is increasingly applied in sports and rehabilitation, evidence on its objective analgesic effects—especially compared with established manual methods—remains limited. Methods Sixty patients diagnosed with MTrPs were consecutively assigned to either PMT (n = 30; 28♂/2♀; mean age 31.07 ± 10.32 years) or MMT (n = 30; 29♂/1♀; mean age 33.20 ± 9.87 years). Each group received three sessions over six days (10 minutes per session). Pain was assessed before the first and five minutes after the final session using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and objective pressure algometry. Within-group and between-group differences were analyzed using parametric or nonparametric tests, with p ≤ 0.05 considered significant. Results Both PMT and MMT significantly reduced pain on the VAS (PMT: p < 0.001; MMT: p < 0.001) and increased pressure pain thresholds (PMT: p < 0.001; MMT: p = 0.045). Effect size comparisons revealed no statistically significant differences between the two groups, although PMT showed slightly greater improvement in algometry, while MMT showed slightly greater reduction on VAS. Conclusions Both PMT and MMT significantly reduce pain at MTrPs, with no evidence that one method is superior. PMT represents a clinically useful tool for myofascial pain management, comparable to traditional manual techniques.