Children with migraine: Provocation of headache via pressure to myofascial trigger points in the trapezius muscle? - A prospective controlled observational study

A migraine is highly prevalent in children and adolescents. The induction of headache by pressure to myofascial trigger points might emphasize the association between muscle and headache and therefore might have implications for the treatment of migraine. Thus, in this observational study author found a relationship between trapezius muscle myofascial trigger points and migraine.

To assess a deemed clinical interdependency of migraine and myofascial trigger points among children. 

Comprehensive data on clinical neurological, psychological status, and medical history were collected of children with confirmed migraine and with age of ≤18 years. Palpation was used to measure trigger points in the trapezius muscle and the estimations were done of the threshold of pressure pain at these points. The duration and occurrence of induced headache were recorded by applying the manual pressure to the trigger points. At a second consultation, manual pressure with the identified pressure threshold was employed to non-trigger points among the same trapezius muscle. Headache and related parameters were repeatedly noted and compared to the outcomes of the first consultation.

In the trapezius muscle, manual pressure to trigger points begun to lasting headache following the cessation of the manual pressure among 13 participants whereas no participant felt headache when manual pressure was employed to non-trigger points during control visit. Headache was caused considerably more often among children ≥12 years and those with internalizing behavioural disorder.

A relationship migraine and trapezius muscle myofascial trigger points, which might emphasise the theory of the trigemino-cervical complex, particularly within adolescents.