The effects of shock wave and dry needling on active trigger points of upper trapezius muscle in patients with non-specific neck pain: A randomized clinical trial

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are important causes of pain. Trigger points are one of the common reasons for myofascial pain. This study aimed to compare a single session of dry needling versus a single session of shock wave therapy on the level of pain and Range of Motion (ROM) in the people with Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) of the upper trapezius muscle. Materials and Methods: Sixteen men with active trigger points of upper trapezius muscle were voluntarily attended in this study. They were randomly assigned into two groups. The patients were under a single session treatment of either dry needling or shock wave therapy. Level of pain (by Visual Analog Scale [VAS]) and active ROM of neck lateral flexion (by goniometer) were evaluated once before the treatment and immediately after the intervention. Results: The VAS scores and the neck ROMs were substantially improved at both groups of study immediately after the treatment (P<0.012). However, there were no significant differences between the two groups of interventions in terms of the VAS and ROM scores (P>0.05). Conclusion: Both dry needling and shock wave therapy can improve neck pain and ROM in patients with active trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle.

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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

Physical Treatments - Specific Physical Therapy ◽

10.29252/nrip.ptj.7.1.49 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 49-57

Author(s):

Iman Kamali Hakim ◽

Ismail Ebrahimi Takamjani ◽

Javad Sarrafzadeh ◽

Kamran Ezzati ◽

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...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Trapezius Muscle ◽

Trigger Points ◽

Acute Effect ◽

Dry Needling ◽

Twitch Response ◽

Upper Trapezius ◽

Upper Trapezius Muscle

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Correlation Between Skin Temperature Over Myofascial Trigger Points in the Upper Trapezius Muscle and Range of Motion, Electromyographic Activity, and Pain in Chronic Neck Pain Patients

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics ◽

10.1016/j.jmpt.2017.10.009 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 41 (4) ◽

pp. 350-357 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Carlos Eduardo Girasol ◽

Almir Vieira Dibai-Filho ◽

Alessandra Kelly de Oliveira ◽

Rinaldo Roberto de Jesus Guirro

Keyword(s):

Neck Pain ◽

Skin Temperature ◽

Trapezius Muscle ◽

Chronic Neck Pain ◽

Trigger Points ◽

Electromyographic Activity ◽

Myofascial Trigger Points ◽

Upper Trapezius ◽

Upper Trapezius Muscle ◽

Pain Patients

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Association between widespread pressure pain hypersensitivity, health history, and trigger points in subjects with neck pain

Scandinavian Journal of Pain ◽

10.1016/j.sjpain.2017.04.013 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 168-168

Author(s):

Matteo Castaldo ◽

Antonella Catena ◽

César Fernández-de-las-Peñas ◽

Lars Arendt-Nielsen

Keyword(s):

Neck Pain ◽

Tibialis Anterior ◽

Trapezius Muscle ◽

Trigger Points ◽

Pressure Pain ◽

Pain Hypersensitivity ◽

Health History ◽

Upper Trapezius ◽

Upper Trapezius Muscle ◽

Extensor Carpi Radialis

Abstract Aims Health history (medical conditions, comorbid musculoskeletal pain, surgical operation, long term intake of medications) may contribute to central sensitization. The duration and the number of the peripheral nociceptive input seem to play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of sensitization. No study has previously investigated these relationships. Our aim was to investigate the association between pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) and health history in patients with neck pain, and the role of active trigger points (TrPs) on PPTs. Methods Thirty-four subjects with mechanical neck pain and 34 with whiplash-associated neck pain participated. They underwent an assessment of PPTs over upper trapezius, extensor carpi radialis longus, and tibialis anterior muscles, and were screened for the presence of active TrPs in upper trapezius muscle. Further, patients fulfilled a questionnaire investigating health history outcomes number and duration. Results Significant negative correlations between all PPTs and the duration of health history outcomes were found in both groups (all, P < 0.02), with no correlations between PPTs and the number of health history outcomes (all, P > 0.15). Significant lower PPTs over upper trapezius, extensor carpi radialis longus, and tibialis anterior (all, P < 0.01) muscles were found in subjects with active TrPs as compared to those with latent TrPs. Conclusions Widespread pressure pain hypersensitivity was associated with the duration, but not the number, of health history outcomes suggesting that long-lasting health complains may act as triggering factor driving sensitization in individuals with neck pain regardless the origin of neck pain. Patients with active TrPs in the upper trapezius muscle showed higher widespread pressure sensitivity than those with latent TrPs. These data should be included in the assessment of neck pain subjects, as they may be useful for planning the management of their symptoms.

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