Efficacy of Trigger Point Dry Needling for Musculoskeletal Conditions

Posted by Madeline White on May 6th, 2024

Dry needling is an Australian treatment technique that involves inserting very fine needles, like acupuncture needles, into trigger points in muscles and connective tissue without injecting any substances. This technique is a type of national therapy used to treat various musculoskeletal conditions, including chronic pain, headaches and sports injuries. 

This piece explores the effectiveness of trigger point dry needling in Perth for pain relief, muscle and joint pain and stiffness, provides scientific evidence supporting its use from Australian sources and answers some common questions about the technique. 

What is dry needling?

Dry needling is a technique commonly used to treat musculoskeletal conditions. Dry needling is a treatment technique where a thin needle is inserted into trigger points in muscles and connective tissue without injecting any substance. Trigger points are areas where muscles are in spasm and feel hard and painful to the touch. These points can cause pain and discomfort, as well as pain in other parts of the body. Dry needling is also known as intramuscular stimulation, trigger point dry needling and myofascial trigger point therapy.

Effectiveness of Dry Needling for Pain Relief

Research has shown that trigger point dry needling near Perth is an effective treatment for pain relief. The effectiveness of dry needling in the treatment of chronic neck pain. The dry needling was effective in reducing pain intensity and disability in patients with chronic neck pain.

Research Findings

Quality Scale scores in the Physiotherapy Evidence Database ranged from 4 to 9 (maximum score, 10-point scale), with a mean score of 7. The study provided evidence that during the immediate to 12-week follow-up period, dry needling reduced pain and increased sensitivity thresholds compared to control/sham or other treatments. At 6 to 12 months, trigger point dry needling in Perth was favourable for pain reduction but the treatment effect was not statistically significant. Dry needling had a statistically significant effect on functional outcomes compared to control/sham treatment, but not compared to other treatments.

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