Neuromuscular Damage and Repair after Dry Needling in Mice

Abstract

Objective. Some dry needling treatments involve repetitive and rapid needle insertions into myofascial trigger points. This type of treatment causes muscle injury and can also damage nerve fibers. The aim of this study is to determine the injury caused by 15 repetitive punctures in the muscle and the intramuscular nerves in healthy mouse muscle and its ulterior regeneration. Methods. We repeatedly needled the levator auris longus muscle of mice, and then the muscles were processed with immunohistochemistry, methylene blue, and electron microscopy techniques. Results. Three hours after the dry needling procedure, the muscle fibers showed some signs of an inflammatory response, which progressed to greater intensity 24 hours after the procedure. Some inflammatory cells could still be seen when the muscle regeneration was almost complete seven days after the treatment. One day after the treatment, some changes in the distribution of receptors could be observed in the denervated postsynaptic component. Reinnervation was complete by the third day after the dry needling procedure. We also saw very fine axonal branches reinnervating all the postsynaptic components and some residual sprouts the same day. Conclusion. Repeated dry needling punctures in muscle do not perturb the different stages of muscle regeneration and reinnervation.

Adverse events following trigger point dry needling: a prospective survey of chartered physiotherapists

“…32 It is likely that compared with acupuncture, TrP-DN could lead to more local microtrauma resulting in bruising, bleeding, and pain. 41 In the current study, however, no significant AEs were reported in 7629 treatments, giving an upper risk rate for significant AEs of #0.04%. 38 This compares favorably with 0.14% in the study by White et al 28 and 0.22% (AEs requiring further treatment) in the study by Witt et al 30 The estimated risk of significant AEs in this study (#0.04%) is also much lower than that reported for some over-the-counter pain medications (aspirin, 18.7%; ibuprofen, 13.7%; and Paracetamol, 14.5%).…”

Dry needling of the trapezius muscle in office workers with neck pain: a randomized clinical trial

“…9 It has been proven that multiple insertions of dry needling in the endplate zone of mice muscles cause a neuromuscular injury that mechanically damages muscle fibres and motor endplates. 42 There was complete regeneration in between three (neuromuscular injury) and seven (muscular injury) days. 42 It is conceivable that the precise location of the MTrP with the needle, confirmed by the LTR elicitation, could contribute to the destruction of the dysfunctional muscle fibres and motor endplates that cause the MTrP, accounting for the good results observed in the DDN group.…”

What Is the Acute Effect of Dry Needling on the Active Trigger Points of Upper Trapezius Muscle? The Effect of Eliciting Local Twitch Response on Clinical Outcomes

“…From this moment, the needle was reciprocated into the trigger point for 15 times with 1 Hz frequency and 1-2 cm along the vertical direction of the tissue [23] (without taking out the needle from the skin area). After the 15 th shot, the needle was remained in place for 5 minutes [15,17]. The patients were divided into two groups on the basis of the presence or absence of LTR during the reciprocating motion of the needle.…”

“…The patient's reports of "deqi" sensation were recorded [24,25]. The needle then remained in place for 5 minutes [15,17]. After 5 minutes, the needles were removed and the treatment site was disinfected again by alcohol-impregnated cotton.…”

“…In dry needling therapies that the needle enters back and forth to the trigger point more than 15 times, the muscular fibers and neural axons of the end plates in the motor point region may get damaged. It may also disturb the complete restoration of muscular fibers, disconnect neural axons, and cause fibrosis (scar tissue) to some extent [15]. This method also has some complications, such as discomfort, local bleeding, and pain at the place of needling.…”