Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to quantify the mechanical pressure required to reach the deep cervical and thoracolumbar fasciae, to examine its association with pressure pain threshold (PPT) and adipose tissue thickness, and to determine whether PPT and adipose tissue thickness can predict the mechanical pressure needed to reach the fascia. METHODS: Forty-three subjects' PPT, mechanical pressure and skinfold in the trapezius and lumbar regions were evaluated using an algometer, an ultrasound scanner, and an adipometer. The Wilcoxon test, Student's t-test, and Pearson and Spearman's correlation tests were used (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The values of mechanical pressure in the cervical and lumbar regions were 6.06 ± 0.186 N/cm(2) and 5.85 ± 5.280, 7.287 N/cm(2), respectively. PPT values were 18.88 ± 0.917 N/cm(2), and 46.46 ± 2.408 N/cm(2), respectively (p < 0.001), and the adipose tissue thickness values in the cervical and lumbar regions were 0.88 ± 0.675 cm, 1.08 and 1.48 ± 0.069 cm (p < 0.001). There was no correlation between the variables in either region under study. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanical pressure required to reach the deep cervical and thoracolumbar fasciae was similar with an average value of approximately 6 N/cm(2), suggesting a consistent mechanical response across these anatomical regions. Mechanosensitivity and subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness did not influence the mechanical pressure needed to access the deep fascial tissue.