Electrical twitch obtaining intramuscular stimulation (ETOIMS) for myofascial pain syndrome in a football player.
BACKGROUND
Flare up of acute lower back pain associated with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) may require various forms of treatment including activity restriction and bracing. Electrical twitch obtaining intramuscular stimulation (ETOIMS) is a promising new treatment. It involves the use of a strong monopolar electromyographic needle electrode for electrical stimulation of deep motor end plate zones in multiple muscles in order to elicit twitches.


METHODS
An elite American football player with MPS symptoms failed to respond to standard treatments. He then received ETOIMS which completely alleviated the pain. After establishing pain control, the athlete continued with a further series of treatments to control symptoms of muscle tightness.


CONCLUSIONS
ETOIMS has a promising role in pain alleviation, increasing and maintaining range of motion, and in providing satisfactory athletic performance during long term follow up.
Chu
J
J
Rehabilitation Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. jechu@comcast.net <jechu@comcast.net>
Takehara
I
I
Li
T-C
TC
Schwartz
I
I
D000328:Adult; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries*; D015775:Fractures, Stress / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome