Connective tissue, edema and pain: a micro-compressive vibration approach

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, the understanding of the functions of the macro- and micro-anatomy of connective tissue has been revised. The symptomatology of edema could be considered as a pathological manifestation of connective tissue (CT). For these reasons, the aim of this study is to demonstrate the correlation between edema symptomatology and the development of pain. Twenty-two female subjects with a CEAP score between 1 and 3 were recruited to take part in a rehabilitative protocol focused on edema treatment, studying both its reduction and its relationship with pain. METHODS: Patients were subjected to micro-compressive vibration treatment consisting of six sessions, twice a week, for 3 weeks. They were evaluated with a Fischer algometer and the visual analogical scale-VAS to identify variations in their pain perception. Piriformis, vastus lateralis, gastrosoleus and quadratus plantae muscles were selected for the evaluation. RESULTS: Results demonstrated that the perception threshold improved in the piriformis muscle R=27.5%, in vastus lateralis R=47.1%, in gastrosoleus L=26.16% and in quadratus plantae R=10.6% L=38.06%. A mean percentage reduction of 17.6% was highlighted at VAS analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between the development of edema and pain symptomatology could be hypothesized and that a specific treatment on CT could reduce this condition.