Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of Ischemic Compression and Deep Transverse Friction Massage on trigger points in upper trapezius muscle in students. Methods: Thirty participants both male and female with myofascial trigger points in upper trapezius muscle were randomly divided into three groups: group A (n=12) received Ischemic compression, group B (n=12) received Deep Transverse Friction Massage and group C (n=12) received active range of motion exercises in all directions. The outcome measures were Neck Disability Index (NDI), Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) & Range of Motion (ROM) of lateral flexion. The participants were assessed pre-treatment i.e. at the first day of treatment and after the 4 weeks of the treatment i.e. at the last day of the treatment. Result: The result showed a statistically significant improvement (p<0.05) in all assessment parameters in pre to post treatment in all groups. But there were no statistically significant improvement showed between the experimental groups in NDI (0.316), NPRS (0.221) & ROM (1.000) in trigger points on upper trapezius muscle. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that both Ischemic Compression and Deep Transverse Friction Massage were equally effective in reducing the functional disability and pain & also in improving the range of motion in trigger points on upper trapezius muscle.

Keywords: Myofascial Trigger Points; Ischemic Compression; Deep Transverse Friction Massage.