Case report
Effectualness of Dry Needling: A Review
151-
Correspondence
Dr. Navjyot S. Trivedi,
Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Chandigarh University, Chandigarh, Punjab, India.
Email id: trivedinavjyotphysio@gmail.com
Trigger point Dry Needling (TDN) is a therapeutic intervention for Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain, encompassing various body areas. TDN, involving the insertion of fine needles into muscles, connective tissues, and myofascial trigger points, has gained popularity as a treatment for MSK pain. The review aimed to consolidate evidence from published Systematic Reviews (SRs) on the efficacy of TDN in managing myofascial pain syndrome across different MSK disorders. The review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) 2020 statement, evaluating SRs of Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) published after 2000. The search strategy encompassed databases such as Web of Science, Excerpta Medica DataBASE (EMBASE) and Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), with keywords including “dry needling,” “acupuncture,” and “physical therapy.” Nineteen SRs met the inclusion criteria, focusing on TDN efficacy across various body regions. TDN was found to be effective in reducing pain and tenderness in regions including the temporomandibular joint, cervical spine and shoulder, upper extremities, lumbar spine, and lower extremities. The review suggests that TDN may offer temporary relief for trigger point-related pain and tenderness, with outcomes comparable to or better than other interventions such as manual therapy, stretching, and pharmaceutical injections. However, the review acknowledges limitations in the available evidence, including variations in study protocols, methodologies, and outcome measures across publications. While TDN shows promise in reducing myofascial pain across different body regions, further high-quality research is needed to confirm its efficacy and inform clinical decision-making. The review emphasises the importance of standardised protocols and comprehensive outcome assessments in future research to better understand the potential benefits of TDN for MSK pain management.