Effects of Dry Needling of the Upper Trapezius Active Trigger Points on Pain and Pain Pressure Threshold in Women With Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of dry needling as local treatment of upper trapezius trigger points related to chronic neck pain on pain and pain pressure threshold in women with chronic nonspecific neck pain. Methods: Thirty females with an active myofascial trigger point of the upper trapezius muscle were randomly divided into two groups: dry needling with passive stretch (n=15) and passive stretch alone (n=15). They received 5 sessions of the intervention for three weeks. The outcomes were pain intensity and pain pressure threshold. Every outcome was recorded at baseline and 2 days after the fifth session. Results: Significant improvement in pain and pain pressure threshold was observed in both groups (P=0.0001) after the treatment. The results of the independent t-test showed a significant difference in measurements between the dry needling and passive stretch groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: Dry needling with passive stretch can be more effective on pain and pain pressure threshold than passive stretching alone in short term in women with nonspecific neck pain.

Effectiveness of Dry Needling in Improving Pain and Function in Comparison with Other Techniques in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The DN technique was performed in the posterior cervical area (only one study did not specify the musculature involved) in all studies (22–35). The upper trapezius muscle was treated in 8 studies [ 23 , 26 , 27 , 29 – 31 , 33 – 35 ], levator scapulae in 5 studies [ 23 , 25 – 27 , 33 , 35 ], the splenius and multifidus in 3 studies [ 25 , 34 , 35 ], and medium and lower trapezius in 3 studies [ 27 , 32 , 34 ].…”

“…At short term (immediately after treatment—1 month), DN was more effective to decrease pain in 9 of the studies. In those studies, DN was compared with stretching ( p < 0.001; 0.006) [ 25 , 31 ], manual therapy ( p < 0.001) [ 34 ], myofascial release (MR) ( p < 0.001) [ 33 ], and electrotherapy using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) with ultrasound (US) ( p = 0.023) [ 24 ]. However, DN did not show statistically significant differences compared to extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) ( p = 0.856) [ 30 ].…”

“…Moreover, DN showed to be more effective than miniscalpel-needle (MNS) ( p < 0.001) [ 36 ]. As for the functional capacity, DN showed better results than stretching ( p < 0.05) [ 31 ].…”