The role of a dry needling technique in pain reduction

Abstract

Introduction: Dry needling is a therapeutic procedure using the insertion of thin needles through the skin into myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), muscular or connective tissue with the aim to reduce pain intensity. The objective of this systematic review is to analyze the literature for the efficacy of the dry needle technique in pain reduction in conditions of musculoskeletal pain caused by MTrPs. Studies Selection:We included randomized controlled studies, prospective and longitudinal studies, and case studies which analyzed the efficacy of dry needling for musculoskeletal pain reduction. Data Extraction Method:The studies, which satisfied criteria for inclusion were further analyzed. The primary instrument of the evaluation was pain intensity analyses.Results: Dry needling treatment is efficient in pain intensity reduction in patients who suffer musculoskeletal pain and is more efficient compared to sham dry needling treatment. In addition, different techniques of dry needling are efficient in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome. Conclusion:Based on systematic review of the literature, dry needling, independently or as an addition to other intervention, is recommended for treatment of musculoskeletal pain conditions caused by myofascial trigger points. Various techniques of dry needling treatment are almost equally efficient in myofascial pain intensity reduction.

Influence of motion therapy on daily life activities of people with lumbar pain syndrome

“…Many randomized controlled trials have shown that lower back stabilization and trunk strengthening exercises, as well as motor control exercises, help relieve pain and improve function in patients with LPS (46)(47)(48). Dry needling is proving to be a useful technique for pain relief and correction of the neurologic sequelae of LPS (49). The condition of most patients does not require surgical treatment, but rather causal and symptomatic treatment and lifestyle modification or orientation to modern techniques to stimulate disk regeneration (stem cells, growth factors, and gene therapy) (16,50).…”

The effects of dry needling on the thumb: A case report

“…The mechanism of action behind dry needling is unclear, but it is believed that it may elicit an analgesic effect, relax the actin-myosin bonds, and improve muscle blood flow in the area surrounding the tissues (Cagnie et al, 2013;Dunning et al, 2014;Kietrys et al, 2013;Unverzagt et al, 2015). Previous research supports the use of dry needling to decrease pain and improve ROM (Gerber et al, 2015;Kaljić et al, 2018;Kietrys et al, 2013;Liu et al, 2015;Ziaeifar et al, 2014). However, a systematic literature has identified low-quality evidence to support the use of dry needling compared to no intervention or a sham intervention (Gattie et al, 2017).…”

Efeito analgésico prolongado do dry needling em dor de ombro: estudo randomizado, duplo-cego, sham controlado

“…The superficial dry needling model, which is considered a more static approach and was publicized by Baldry; and the deep dry needling or trigger point model, which is regarded as a more dynamic approach and was publicized by Travell and colleagues, which remains the most studied and practiced model of MTrP-DN (Travell & Simons, 1983). The superficial and deep MTrP-DN have also been reported to function through diverse and distinct mechanisms, which may be differentiated by their main sites of action, i.e., only at the level of nociceptive spinal afferents versus those at the additional levels of motor and autonomic spinal efferents, as well as spinal afferents, respectively (Kaljić et al, 2018). However, another suggested dry needling model employs electrotherapy, which was publicized by Gunn and was also known as the radiculopathy or neuropathy model, which may have some similarities with electroacupuncture (Unverzagt et al, 2015).…”

“…Additionally, it has been proposed that MTrP-DN restricted to connective tissues, specifically the rotation of the needle within the fascia, can induce mechano-transduction, resulting in stimulation of mechanoreceptors and nociceptors as well as changes in the extracellular matrix composition and the concentration of vasoactive molecules and neurotransmitters (Dommerholt et al, 2006;Kaljić et al, 2018).…”