Evidence for Dry Needling in the Management of Myofascial Trigger Points Associated With Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Postneedling Soreness and Tenderness After Different Dosages of Dry Needling of an Active Myofascial Trigger Point in Patients With Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Deep dry needling (DDN) is a minimally invasive therapy frequently included in the treatment of multiple pain conditions. Previous research has investigated its effectiveness in patients presenting with disorders such as nonspecific low back [1], neck, or shoulder pain [2]; lateral epicondylalgia [3]; temporomandibular disorders [4]; plantar heel pain [5]; or patellofemoral pain [6]. A recent meta‐analysis has concluded that very low‐to‐moderate evidence supports its effectiveness against no treatment or placebo improving pain in the short and medium term [7].…”

“…A recent meta-analysis has concluded that very low-tomoderate evidence supports its effectiveness against no treatment or placebo improving pain in the short and medium term [7]. Other meta-analysis provided moderate evidence recommending its use over other treatments in patients with low back pain at postintervention [1] and in patients with neck and shoulder pain when compared PM R 10 (2018) 1311-1320 www.pmrjournal.org with control/sham at the short (immediately to 3 days) and medium term (9-28 days) [2]. DDN consists of the insertion of solid filament needles into the muscle in the location of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) [8], which are hypersensitive nodules in taut bands present in skeletal muscles [9].…”

The role of a dry needling technique in pain reduction

“…Liu et al conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of dry needling in the treatment of MTrP associated with LBS. The results showed that dry needling, especially in combination with other treatments, may be effective in reducing pain in patients with LBS-om (22).…”

Trigger point dry needling, manual therapy and exercise versus manual therapy and exercise for the management of Achilles tendinopathy: a feasibility study

“…83 Dr. Lewit was the first to publish a study on use of trigger point dry needling to treat low back pain. 26 Since this paper was published additional studies have reported on the effectiveness of dry needling to treat shoulder pain 30,157 ; adhesive capsulitis 29 ; neck pain 24,31,32 ; cervical dizziness 39 ; cervicogenic HA 157 ; TMD 20,21 ; LBP 19,28,40 ; lateral epicondylalgia 21,41 ; knee pain 42,155,158 ; and heel pain. 33 However, there are no published studies investigating the effect of TDN for myofascial trigger points in patients with posterior heel pain.…”

“…Multiple studies have investigated the effect of trigger point dry needling various diagnoses. Specifically, TDN has been reported to be effective for shoulder pain 30,157 ; adhesive capsulitis 29 ; neck pain 24,31,32 ; cervical dizziness 39 ; cervicogenic HA 157 ; TMD 20,21 ; LBP 19,28,40 ; lateral epicondylalgia 21,41 ; knee pain 42,155,158 ; and heel pain. 33 Specific improvements include decreased pain and increases in ROM, flexibility and strength.…”