A Case-Series of Dry Needling as an Immediate Sensory Integration Intervention

Abstract Aims To assess the impact of dry needling on neural mechanosensitivity and grip strength in male subjects with a history of persistent pain in the neck/shoulder area. Methods Case series study. Eight male subjects (mean age 25±6.24 years) with a recurrent history of bilateral neck/shoulder pain for at least 6 months, and with symptoms provoked by neck/shoulder postures or movement were recruited from a University-based clinical research center. Measurements were taken at baseline, immediately after intervention, and fifteen days later, of the pressure pain threshold (PPT) over the median, ulnar, and radial nerves, and the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle. Secondary measures included free-pain grip strength with a hydraulic dynamometer. A therapist assessed the presence of latent (not spontaneously painful, but painful upon palpation) myofascial trigger points (MTrP) over the scalene, subclavius, pectoralis minor, infraspinatus and serratus posterior superior muscles, on the most painful side. Deep dry needling was then performed on the latent MtrP by quickly inserting and partially removing the needle from the MTrP until 2 local twitch responses were provoked. Results PPT over the nerve trunks significantly increased after intervention (p < 0.05 for all locations). These changes remained constant in the second assessment, both in the treated (p < 0.001 for median and ulnar nerves, and p = 0.004 for radial nerve), and the non-treated upper limb (median nerve p < 0.001, ulnar nerve p = 0.003, and radial nerve p = 0.006). No statistical significance was found for PPT over the TA muscle (p > 0.05) or for grip strength (p = 0.153 on the treated side, and p = 0.564 on the non-treated upper limb). Conclusions Dry needling on the cervicothoracic and shoulder areas may help to improve peripheral neural features over the brachial plexus nerve trunks in subjects with recurrent neck/shoulder pain. No effect was observed for grip strength.

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Effects of Myofascial Trigger Point Dry Needling in Patients with Sleep Bruxism and Temporomandibular Disorders: A Prospective Case Series

Acupuncture in Medicine ◽

10.1136/acupmed-2016-011102 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 35 (1) ◽

pp. 69-74 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Paloma María Blasco-Bonora ◽

Aitor Martín-Pintado-Zugasti

Keyword(s):

Pain Intensity ◽

Temporomandibular Disorder ◽

Case Series ◽

Sleep Bruxism ◽

Dry Needling ◽

Myofascial Trigger Points ◽

Jaw Opening ◽

Case Series Study ◽

Prospective Case Series

Objectives To investigate the effects of deep dry needling (DN) of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) of the masseter and temporalis on pain, pressure pain threshold (PPT), pain-free maximal jaw opening and temporomandibular disorder (TMD)-related disability in patients with sleep bruxism (SB) and myofascial TMD. Methods Seventeen subjects (11 women, 6 men) aged 39±13 years (range 23–66) diagnosed with SB and myofascial TMD were invited to participate in this prospective case series study. Each subject received a deep DN intervention in the masseter and temporalis MTrPs. Pain intensity, PPT, pain-free maximal jaw opening and TMD-related disability were assessed before treatment, immediately after treatment and at 1-week follow-up. Jaw disability was assessed using the jaw disability checklist (JDC) at baseline and 1 week post-treatment only. Results One-way analyses of variance showed significant improvements in pain intensity, PPT and jaw opening (p<0.001). Post-hoc analysis revealed significant differences between baseline and post-intervention follow-up time points in pain (immediate: Cohen's d=1.72, p<0.001; 1 week: d=3.24, p<0.001), jaw opening (immediate: d=0.77, p<0.001; 1 week: d=1.02, p<0.001) and PPT in the masseter (immediate: d=1.02, p<0.001; 1 week: d=1.64, p<0.001) and temporalis (immediate: d=0.91, p=0.006; 1 week: d=1.8, p<0.001). A dependent t-test showed a significant improvement in jaw functioning, reflected by a large reduction in 1-week JDC scores relative to baseline (d=3.15, p<0.001). Conclusions Deep DN of active MTrPs in the masseter and temporalis in patients with myofascial TMD and SB was associated with immediate and 1-week improvements in pain, sensitivity, jaw opening and TMD-related disability. Trial registration number Results.

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A novel treatment of dry needling and eccentric exercise for patients with chronic bicipital tendinopathy: A case series

Manual Therapy ◽

10.1016/j.math.2016.05.089 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 25 ◽

pp. e61

Author(s):

A. Mcdevitt ◽

L. Krause ◽

M.R. Leibold ◽

M. Borg ◽

P. Mintken

Keyword(s):

Eccentric Exercise ◽

Case Series ◽

Dry Needling ◽

Novel Treatment

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A Systematic Dry Needling Treatment Supports Recovery Post-Training for Division I Ice Hockey Athletes: An Exploration Case Series

Journal of Athletic Training ◽

10.4085/1062-6050-0096.21 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Brian D. Brewster ◽

Alison R Snyder Valier ◽

Sue Falsone

Keyword(s):

Lower Extremity ◽

Treatment Protocol ◽

Case Series ◽

Ice Hockey ◽

Exercise Stress ◽

Division I ◽

Dry Needling ◽

Posterior Aspect ◽

Recovery Techniques ◽

Recovery Treatment

Four student-athletes (aged 20 to 22 years old) participating in NCAA Division I ice hockey served as cases. Cases were free of injury, and participated in all team activities without restrictions. A dry needling (DN) lower extremity recovery protocol was completed on all cases during a single session. To administer the DN recovery treatment, static needles were placed in specific bilateral locations that consisted of 5 points on both the anterior and posterior aspect of lower extremity and lumbopelvic complex. The Acute Recovery Stress Scale (ARSS) was used to evaluate the effect of the DN recovery treatment on each cases perception of recovery at 24 hours post, and 48 hours post DN treatment. Overall, total and average scores of ARSS for all cases were closer to baseline at 48-post than the other time points. Recovery techniques historically have been used post-activity because even normal training loads, which are considered positive, produce athlete stress and fatigue and can lead to injury. Results from this case series suggest that ice hockey athletes who are experiencing post-exercise stress, such as soreness and fatigue, may benefit from a lower extremity DN recovery treatment protocol.

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Functional and Pain Improvement in Tennis Elbow with Dry Needling as Alternative Treatment: Case Series

Neurology ◽

10.17925/usn.2021.17.1.60 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 60

Author(s):

Deby Wahyuning Hadi ◽

Henry Sugiharto ◽

Amanda Tiksnadi ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alternative Treatment ◽

Tennis Elbow ◽

Case Series ◽

Dry Needling ◽

Pain Improvement

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Effect of dry needling on submaximal strength and pain in patients with active myofascial trigger points in the rectus femoris: A case series

Revista Fisioterapia Invasiva ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1701290 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 03 (01) ◽

pp. 035-037

Author(s):

María Pilar López Royo ◽

Carolina Jiménez Sánchez

Keyword(s):

Trigger Point ◽

Case Series ◽

Rectus Femoris ◽

Trigger Points ◽

Myofascial Trigger Point ◽

Dry Needling ◽

Analog Scale ◽

Myofascial Trigger Points ◽

Before And After ◽

Nodular Appearance

AbstractA myofascial trigger point (MTrP) is a hyperirritable area of a skeletal muscle, of nodular appearance on palpation and located in a taut band. One of the techniques for the treatment of MTrP is dry needling (DN). The aim of the present work was to determine whether treatment with DN is effective in terms of pain relief and improvement of muscle weakness. For this purpose, differences in the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Brzycki Test were observed before and after treatment of an active MTrP of the rectus femoris. In total, 5 patients received the treatment, of which 80% showed an improvement in pain and an increase in submaximal strength. Although it is not possible to establish a causal relationship, the results appear consistent with our hypothesis that DN is able to generally improve the symptoms of pain and weakness that appeared in patients.

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