Dry Needling

The Effectiveness of Trigger Point Dry Needling for Musculoskeletal Conditions by Physical Therapists: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Authors: Eric Gattie, PT, DPT, Joshua A. Cleland, PT, PhD, Suzanne Snodgrass, PT, PhD Study Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Background An increasing number of physical therapists in the United States and throughout the world are using dry needling to treat musculoskeletal pain. Objective To examine the short- and long-term effectiveness of dry needling delivered […]

Dry Needling Versus Cortisone Injection in the Treatment of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: A Non-Inferiority Randomized Clinical Trial

Kindyle L. Brennan, PT, PhD Study Design Prospective, randomized, partially-blinded. Background Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is the current terminology for what was once called greater trochanteric or sub-gluteal bursitis. Cortisone (corticosteroid) injections into the lateral hip is a traditionally accepted treatment for this condition. However, the effectiveness of injecting the bursa with steroids is […]

Evidence of long-term benefit of dry needling as performed by physical therapists is currently lacking

The Effectiveness of Trigger Point Dry Needling for Musculoskeletal Conditions by Physical Therapists: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Authors: Eric Gattie, PT, DPT Study Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Background Dry needling is being utilized by an increasing number of physical therapists in the United States and throughout the world in the treatment of musculoskeletal […]

Short-Term Clinical Effects of Dry Needling Combined With Physical Therapy in Patients With Chronic Postsurgical Pain Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: Case Series

Authors: Rodrigo Núñez-Cortés, PT Published: Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 2017 Volume:0 Issue:0 Pages:1–24 DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2017.7089 Study Design Case series. Background The purpose of this case series is to describe a combined program of dry needling (DN) and therapeutic exercise in a small group of patients with persistent pain post total knee arthroplasty. […]

Dry needling does not offer benefits in addition to personalized, evidencebased physical therapy treatment for patients with nonspecific shoulder pain

Published: Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 2016 Volume:47 Issue:1 Pages:11–20 DOI:10.2519/jospt.2017.6698 Study Design Multicenter, parallel randomized clinical trial. Background Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are implicated in shoulder pain and functional limitations. An intervention intended to treat MTrPs is dry needling. Objectives To investigate the effectiveness of dry needling in addition to evidence-based personalized […]

Do You Perform Dry-Needling in Texas?

-by Bryan Snoddy, TBCE General Counsel No discussion of practice in Texas is ever complete without first identifying the authority which permits a licensee to engage in that scope of practice. The Chiropractic Act, section 201.002, permits a D.C. to perform modalities that “are nonsurgical” and “nonincisive” that “improve the subluxation complex or the biomechanics […]

Baseline Examination Factors Associated With Clinical Improvement After Dry Needling In Individuals With Low Back Pain

Authors: Shane L. Koppenhaver, PT, PhD Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, Ahead of Print Pages: 1-31 doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.5801 Study Design Quasi-experimental. Objectives To explore for associations between demographic, patient history, and physical examination variables and short-term improvement in self-reported disability following dry needling therapy performed on individuals with low back pain (LBP). Background Dry […]

Clinical Comparative Study for Ultrasound-Guided Trigger-Point Needling for Myofascial Pain

Bubnov Rostyslav V. and Wang Jun. Medical Acupuncture. December 2013, 25(6): 437-443. ABSTRACT Background: Most pain syndromes in clinical practice are myofascial in nature and are caused by the myofascial trigger point (MTrP) formation. Recent clinical studies show that MTrP dry needling is most effective to release myofascial pain after local twitch response (LTR) is […]

Effectiveness of Dry Needling for Myofascial Trigger Points Associated With Neck and Shoulder Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

APM&R.  May 2015. Volume 96, Issue 5, Pages 944–955 Lin Liu, MSc Abstract Objective To evaluate current evidence of the effectiveness of dry needling of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) associated with neck and shoulder pain. Data Sources PubMed, EBSCO, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, ScienceDirect, The Cochrane Library, ClinicalKey, Wanfang Data Chinese database, China Knowledge Resource Integrated […]

Effectiveness of Dry Needling on the Lower Trapezius in Patients With Mechanical Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

APM&R. May 2015Volume 96, Issue 5, Pages 775–781 Daniel Pecos-Martín, PhD Abstract Objective To evaluate the effect of dry needling into a myofascial trigger point (MTrP) in the lower trapezius muscle of patients with mechanical idiopathic neck pain. Design A single-center, randomized, double-blinded controlled study. Setting Patients were recruited from the student population of a local […]

Effectiveness of dry neeedling for myofascial trigger points associated with neck and shoulder pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 01/12/2015 Evidence Based Medicine Review Article Liu L, et al. – This study aimed to evaluate current evidence on the effectiveness of dry needling for myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) associated with neck and shoulder pain. Dry needling can be recommended to relieve MTrP pain of neck and shoulders in […]

Comparison Of The Short-Term Outcomes Between Trigger Point Dry Needling And Trigger Point Manual Therapy For The Management Of Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain

Comparison Of The Short-Term Outcomes Between Trigger Point Dry Needling And Trigger Point Manual Therapy For The Management Of Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial Authors: Rocio Llamas-Ramos, PT Study Design Randomized clinical study. Objectives To compare the effects of trigger point (TrP) dry needling (DN) and TrP manual therapy (MT) on pain, […]

The Use of Manual Therapy Post–Hip Arthroscopy When an Exercise-Based Therapy Approach Has Failed: A Case Report

CASE REPORT The Use of Manual Therapy Post–Hip Arthroscopy When an Exercise-Based Therapy Approach Has Failed: A Case Report Authors: Robert T. LeBeau, PT, OCS, FAAOMPT Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 2014, Volume: 44 Issue: 9 Pages: 712-721 Study Design Case report. Background Although there is a growing body of literature on both […]

Short-Term Changes in Neck Pain, Widespread Pressure Pain Sensitivity, and Cervical Range of Motion After the Application of Trigger Point Dry Needling in Patients With Acute Mechanical Neck Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Authors: María J. Mejuto-Vázquez, PT Study Design Randomized clinical trial. Objectives To determine the effects of trigger point dry needling (TrPDN) on neck pain, widespread pressure pain sensitivity, and cervical range of motion in patients with acute mechanical neck pain and active trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. Background TrPDN seems to be effective […]

Myofascial origin of shoulder pain: A literature review

Stanislav Sergienko, BPT, Leonid Kalichman, PT, PhD Published Online: May 14, 2014 Summary Background Shoulder pain is a common problem imposing a considerable burden on the affected person and society. Since interventions targeting traditional musculoskeletal conditions are usually only moderately effective, myofascial origin can be suggested as an alternative possible source of shoulder pain. Objectives […]

The Use of Dry Needling and Myofascial Meridians in a Case of Plantar Fasciitis

Journal of Chiropractic Medicine Available online 6 March 2014 Akhbari Behnam, PhD, PT Journal Reference Abstract Objective The purpose of this case report is to describe the use of dry needling based on myofascial meridians for management of plantar fasciitis. Clinical features A 53-year-old man presented with bilateral chronic foot pain for more than 2 […]

Rehabilitation of Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy Utilizing Eccentric Training, Lumbopelvic Stabilization, and Trigger Point Dry Needling

Rehabilitation of Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy Utilizing Eccentric Training, Lumbopelvic Stabilization, and Trigger Point Dry Needling: 2 Case Reports Authors: Dhinu J. Jayaseelan, DPT, OCS1, Nick Moats, MPT, OCS2, Christopher R. Ricardo, CSCS3 Published: Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 2013 Volume:44 Issue:3 Pages:198–205 DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2014.4905 Study Design Case report. Background Proximal hamstring tendinopathy is […]

Dry Needling Patient Handout from JOSPT

Painful and Tender Muscles Dry Needling Can Reduce Myofascial Pain Related to Trigger Points Trigger points are irritable, hard “knots” within a muscle that may cause pain over a large area, leading to difficulty performing everyday tasks. When a trigger point is touched, it hurts and can also cause pain in nearby areas (see illustration). […]