scholarly journals The effectiveness of dry needling on hamstring flexibility: A systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 4035-4039
Author(s):  
Day, James ◽  
◽  
Kasuske Kyla ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Dry Needling ◽  
Myofascial Trigger Points ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Hamstring Injuries ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Hamstring Flexibility ◽  
Increased Blood Flow ◽  
Better Than

Background: Hamstring injuries are a common problem for athletes, and hamstring tightness has been found to be a contributing factor to these injuries. Dry needling is a growing trend that poses the possibility of increasing flexibility through several mechanisms; however, there is currently no review on all of the studies done concerning the effectiveness of dry needling for improving hamstring flexibility. Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of dry needling on hamstring flexibility in people with hamstring tightness. Methods: Search terms included dry needling or intramuscular stimulation, flexibility or range of motion or ROM, and hamstring. The databases searched were PubMed, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL.) Results: Ten articles were found from the initial search, and three remained after the removal of duplicates and screening the articles for abstracts and full text. Patients consisted of relatively young individuals with hamstring tightness. All studies used a stretching group for the comparison while interventions consisted of dry needling alone or dry needling with a stretching program. No studies showed a significant difference between dry needling and the control; however, all studies found that flexibility increased from baseline measurements following a dry needling treatment. Discussion: The results indicate that while dry needling may not be a better option than stretching, it could be used as a means for improving hamstring flexibility. Possible factors for the effectiveness of dry needling include increased blood flow and oxygen saturation to the muscle as well as the release of myofascial trigger points. Conclusion: Dry needling was not found to be significantly better than stretching, but poses a possibility as another method for improving hamstring flexibility. KEY WORDS: Hamstrings, Athletes, Flexibility, Tightness, Dry Needling, Stretching.

scholarly journals Comparison of the Effects of Dry Needling and Low-Level Laser on the Latent Trigger Points of Upper Trapezius

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Pain Threshold ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Dry Needling ◽  
Myofascial Trigger Points ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Low Level Laser ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Level Laser ◽  
Significant Difference

Background and Aims: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is one of the most frequent causes of chronic musculoskeletal pain which is characterized by myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). Hence, it is of crucial importance to identify practical approaches for the treatment of these points. Upper trapezius muscle (UT) is highly susceptible to the development of MTrPs that are commonly resulted from overuse and micro-trauma. In this regard, the present study aimed to compare the effects of dry needling (DN) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) regarding the reduction of pain and muscle thickness and improvement of the range of motion (ROM) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) in patients with latent MTrPs (LTrPs) in their UT muscles. Materials and Methods: In total, 60 patients with LTrPs in UT muscle participated in this randomized clinical trial. The subjects were randomly divided into two treatment groups of DN and LLLT. The PPT was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) and algometer while ROM and muscle thickness were assessed using goniometer and ultrasonography, respectively. It should be noted that the variables were evaluated before the first and after the sixth sessions. Finally, the collected data were analyzed using independent and paired t-tests. Results: Based on the results, the VAS and muscle thickness significantly reduced, while the PPT and cervical ROM increased in both groups after treatment (P<0.001). The independent t-test revealed a statistically significant improvement in the DN group in terms of PPT (9.9-14.17, P=0.009) and ROM (37.33-42.67, p=0.005), compared to the LLLT group. Nevertheless, no significant difference was found between the two groups regarding VAS and muscle thickness variables (P>0.05). Conclusion: The DN and LLLT effectively improved symptoms in the UT muscles of patients with LTrPs. However, the DN was more effective in the improvement of ROM and PPT variables.

Effects of dry needling in lower extremity myofascial trigger points: systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 2596-2603
Author(s):  
Iqra Khan ◽  
Ashfaq Ahmad ◽  
Ashfaq Ahmed ◽  
Samreen Sadiq ◽  
Hafiz Muhammad Asim
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Trigger Point ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Dry Needling ◽  
Myofascial Trigger Points ◽  
Keywords Acupuncture ◽  
Methodological Assessment

Objective: This systematic review was conducted to explore the current evidences on effects of trigger point dry needling as a treatment strategy on pain and range of motion among the subjects with lower extremity myofascial trigger areas. Methods: A systematic review was performed and searched databases including Cochrane Library, PubMed, SPORTDiscus and PEDro. PRISMA guidelines were followed. Inclusion and exclusion of studies were made according to PICOS format. Ten studies were recruited for assessment based on eligibility. Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to assess the Randomized and Non-Randomized controlled trials and the methodological assessment was also performed using PEDro 10-point scale. Data synthesis was performed by Vote Counting Method as a descriptive tool. Results: Seven of the total ten studies deemed High score on PEDro and three were scored Fair on the scale. Each of the ten studies documented improvement in the pain over time with the dry needling strategy. None of the studies targeted the other outcomes like anxiety and sleep disturbances related with myofascial trigger points. Conclusion: On basis of the best evidences available dry needling seems to be effective in pain reduction related to lower extremity myofascial trigger points. Evidence also suggests that there is not much positive effect of myofascial trigger point dry needling on depression, anxiety, muscular strength and quality of life. Keywords: Acupuncture therapy, Dry Needling, Lower extremity, Myofascial trigger points Continuous....

Is Dry Needling Applied by Physical Therapists Effective for Pain in Musculoskeletal Conditions? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 101 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Sánchez-Infante ◽  
Marcos J Navarro-Santana ◽  
Alfredo Bravo-Sánchez ◽  
Fernando Jiménez-Diaz ◽  
Javier Abián-Vicén
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Body Region ◽  
Dry Needling ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Myofascial Trigger Points ◽  
Moderate Effect

Abstract Objective The main objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the short-, medium-, and long-term effectiveness of dry needling (DN) applied by physical therapists to myofascial trigger points for the treatment of pain. Methods PubMed, Scopus, SportDiscus, and Web of Science databases were searched from their inception to February 2020. Randomized controlled trials that compared DN with other treatments or placebo and measured pain with a visual analog Scale or another numerical pain rating scale were included. Two authors used a personalized form to collect the following data relevant to the objectives of the review from each article independently: study design, purpose, sample size, diagnosis, characteristics of DN intervention, characteristics of placebo intervention, outcome measures, period of assessment, body region, DN technique, and number of sessions. The initial search identified 1771 articles. After the selection, 102 articles were assessed for eligibility; 42 of these articles measuring pain were used for the meta-analysis. Four meta-analyses were performed according to the follow-up period from the last reported treatment. Results This meta-analysis found a large effect to decrease pain within 72 hours (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −0.81; 95% CI = −1.21 to −0.40), a moderate effect in 1 to 3 weeks (SMD = −0.69; 95% CI = −1.02 to −0.35), a large effect in 4 to 12 weeks (SMD = −0.85; 95% CI = −1.30 to −0.40), and a large effect in 13 to 24 weeks (SMD = −0.81; 95% CI = −1.64 to −0.03). The risk of bias was generally low; however, the heterogeneity of the results downgraded the level of evidence. Conclusions Low-quality evidence that the immediate to 72-hour (large) effect, 4- to 12-week (large) effect, 13- to 24-week (large) effect, and moderate-quality 1- to 3-week (moderate) effect suggested that DN performed by physical therapists was more effective than no treatment, sham DN, and other therapies for reducing pain. Impact DN is commonly used by physical therapists to treat musculoskeletal pain, and it is very important for physical therapists to know the clinical conditions and time periods for which DN is effective in reducing pain in their patients.

scholarly journals The role of a dry needling technique in pain reduction

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 128-139
Author(s):  
Eldad Kaljić ◽  
Namik Trtak ◽  
Dijana Avdić ◽  
Samir Bojičić ◽  
Bakir Katana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Musculoskeletal Pain ◽  
Myofascial Pain ◽  
Pain Syndrome ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Pain Reduction ◽  
Dry Needling ◽  
Myofascial Trigger Points ◽  
Randomized Controlled Studies

Introduction: Dry needling is a therapeutic procedure using the insertion of thin needles through the skin into myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), muscular or connective tissue with the aim to reduce pain intensity. The objective of this systematic review is to analyze the literature for the efficacy of the dry needle technique in pain reduction in conditions of musculoskeletal pain caused by MTrPs. Reference Sources: Web of Science, Scopus and EBSCOhost database were searched for studies and e-books published from January 2010 to December 2018. Studies Selection: We included randomized controlled studies, prospective and longitudinal studies, and case studies which analyzed the efficacy of dry needling for musculoskeletal pain reduction. Data Extraction Method: The studies, which satisfied criteria for inclusion were further analyzed. The primary instrument of the evaluation was pain intensity analyses. Results: Dry needling treatment is efficient in pain intensity reduction in patients who suffer musculoskeletal pain and is more efficient compared to sham dry needling treatment. In addition, different techniques of dry needling are efficient in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome. Conclusion: Based on systematic review of the literature, dry needling, independently or as an addition to other intervention, is recommended for treatment of musculoskeletal pain conditions caused by myofascial trigger points. Various techniques of dry needling treatment are almost equally efficient in myofascial pain intensity reduction.

scholarly journals The effect of dry needling in basketball players analyzed using thermographic cameras

2019 ◽  
Vol 02 (02) ◽  
pp. 128-129
Author(s):  
Barrios Pitarque C. ◽  
Yeste Fabregat M.
Keyword(s):  
Myofascial Pain ◽  
High Reliability ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Dry Needling ◽  
Basketball Players ◽  
Myofascial Trigger Points ◽  
Local Contraction ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background Approximately 30% of patients attend primary care consultations for pain, in which the presence of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) has been confirmed, provoked by myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). Unfortunately, the treatment of this syndrome is resistant to medication and entails an erroneous diagnosis. Novel methods such as sonoelastography and elastography using magnetic resonance, have recently enabled non-invasive images of trigger points. However, both are costly and difficult to access. Therefore, the identification of MTrPs is still based on the palpable diagnosis criteria defined by Travell and Simons. Interestingly, MPS has been defined as nociceptive pain, however, currently the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is considered increasingly important for the widespread pain related to MPS and this is indicated with greater frequency. The use of the infrared camera is accepted as an objective method for the diagnosis of patients with pain, especially if activity of the SNS is involved. Thermography has high reliability for muscle exam. Hyperthermic images appear when inflammatory reactions are present, increasing the blood flow due to a greater cell activation. In contrast, hypothermic activation is found when there is compression or degenerative processes. Dry needling (DN) is considered to be a safe and effective method for reducing pain and improving muscle function, provoking a local contraction response in the muscle of myofascial trigger points. Aims The main aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological changes that take place in the medial gastrocnemius (MG) with DN treatment using thermography. Material and Methods In total, 20 basketball players participated in this study, aged between 21 and 39 years old. Initially, before performing DN, pre-intervention images were taken. Subsequently, DN was performed on the MG with the maximum of local twitch responses, evaluating both MG of both legs. Images were taken immediately after DN, and at 15 and at 30 minutes. For this study, a thermographic camera was used (FLIR TUR E60) and the images were analyzed using FLIR TOOLS software. For the DN technique, needles were used measuring 0.30 × 40. The variables studied were the maximum temperature (Tmax), minimum temperature (Tmin) and mean temperature (Tavg), in degrees Celsius. Results A decreased temperature exists (T°) both for Tmax, Tmin and Tavg before and after the DN intervention. We observed a significant difference (p = 0.035) between Tmin pre-intervention and immediately after the intervention in the left leg. The other significant difference found was between Tmin pre-intervention on the left leg and after 30 minutes (p = 0.009). We found significant differences between Tmin pre and immediately post intervention on the left leg (p = 0.021), Tmin pre and after 15 minutes on the left leg (p = 0.007) and pre intervention and after 30 minutes on the left leg (p = 0.002). Other significant differences on the right leg were Tmin pre-intervention and immediately after (p = 0.019), and after 15 minutes (p = 0.008). Conclusions Dry needling may be a good method for reducing inflammation of the trigger point for its ability to decrease temperature, and therefore may allow us to decrease the maximum, minimum and average temperature of the muscle belly.

Dry needling in the management of myofascial trigger points: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 46-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Espejo-Antúnez ◽  
Jaime Fernández-Huertas Tejeda ◽  
Manuel Albornoz-Cabello ◽  
Juan Rodríguez-Mansilla ◽  
Blanca de la Cruz-Torres ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Dry Needling ◽  
Myofascial Trigger Points ◽  
Randomized Controlled
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