The Effects of Ultrasound-guided Dry Needling on Patients With Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: Dry Needling (DN) is a novel and effective intervention for patients with Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS). Some characteristics, such as needle penetration depth, needle insertion into the target muscle, and trigger points must be identified in this intervention. The Ultrasound (US)-guided DN is a technique that involves needle insertion at the site of injury and the simulation of tissue injury and inflammation under US guidance; it indicates the needle insertion site to ensure that it does not penetrate the adjacent tissues. The current study aimed to review previous studies regarding the effects of US-guided DN on MPS. Methods: A search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Google Scholar, Springer, and Science Direct databases to retrieve studies published from 2010 to March 2020. We included investigations regarding the effects of US-guided DN on the treatment of MPS. The following keywords and MeSH terms were used in the search process: “ultrasound-guided, musculoskeletal ultrasonography, myofascial pain syndrome, trigger points, and dry needling.” Results: A total of 47 relevant articles were retrieved. However, based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the review, 11 articles were finally selected. All studies reported significant pain relief following the use of US-guided DN in patients with MPS. Discussion: Considering the precise visualization of the site of muscle involvement, precise needle insertion, and reduction of the risk of further injury in US-guided DN may be a useful approach for MPS management in short-term and long-term studies.

Sacroiliac joint manipulation helps to improve pain pressure threshold in chronic piriformis syndrome: a 6-week randomized controlled trial US

“…The heat therapy, cold therapy, Ultrasound and electric current have been suggested as additional modalities to reduce pain [16]. Dry needling with minimal invasion is used to deactivate the myofascial trigger point which helps to release the pain [17]. Manipulation Techniques are mostly used in SIJ if the source of pain and dysfunction in SIJ is PS.…”

Extracorporeal ShockWave Treatment vs. mesotherapy in the treatment of myofascial syndromes: a clinical trial

“…The muscles involved are usually not uniform, but have heterogeneous areas of different consistencies ( 7 ). Myofascial pain syndrome can involve all the muscles of our body, but the muscles of the cervical district (particularly the trapezius muscles, the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the shoulder elevator muscle) are most involved ( 8 , 9 ), the muscles of the lumbar spine (quadratus lumborum muscle and paravertebral muscles) ( 10 , 11 ) and the muscles of the lower limbs (tensor fasciae latae muscles, hip adductors, biceps femoris, quadriceps, gastrocnemius and popliteus muscles) ( 12 ). Myofascial pain syndrome is often associated with other pathologic conditions of the musculoskeletal system of a chronic degenerative nature that occur in old age such as osteoarthritis ( 13 ).…”