The Effectiveness of Dry Needling on Subjects With Multiple Myofascial Trigger Points in Shoulder Girdle Muscles

Abstract

Objectives: Physiotherapists have accepted the dry needling (DN) technique as an adequate treatment for myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). Considering that most similar studies have only focused on one muscle, the current study aimed at evaluating the influence of DN on patients with musculoskeletal pains caused by active MTrPs in shoulder girdle muscles. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was achieved based on experiences and observations in clinical settings. Totally, 20 subjects were selected with pain in shoulders and/or upper limbs, as well as head and neck with 3 to 5 MTrPs in the shoulder girdle muscles. They were candidates for treatment with DN in 5 sessions every other day during 2 weeks. The subjects were evaluated by the visual analogue scale (VAS), pressure-pain threshold (PPT), and the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH). The statistical analysis was done using the paired t test. Results: A significant difference was observed in VAS, DASH, and PPT results after the intervention compared with those values before the intervention. P≤0.05 was considered as the level of significance. Conclusions: Considering the observed improvements in VAS, the PPT, and DASH scores, the DN can be used as an impressive therapeutic method for MTrPs in shoulder girdle muscles.

Keywords

• myofascial trigger points
• dry needling
• pressure pain threshold
• pain
• muscle pain
• shoulder muscles