Beyond Structural Pathology: Central Sensitization and Chronic Pain with Reference to Lumbar Disc Herniation-A Narrative Review

Brain Sci. 2026 Jun 25;16(7):664. doi: 10.3390/brainsci16070664. ABSTRACT Chronic pain is increasingly understood as a multidimensional condition in which, in a substantial subgroup of patients, a protective symptom can evolve into a persistent maladaptive disorder of the nervous system, while in others it may remain closely tied to ongoing mechanical or structural factors. Central sensitization […]

Immediate Effects of Dry Needling in Patients with Myofascial Temporomandibular Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Healthcare (Basel). 2026 Jul 20;14(14):2189. doi: 10.3390/healthcare14142189. ABSTRACT Background: Myofascial temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are associated with pain and trigger points in the masticatory muscles. Dry needling (DN) is used for myofascial pain, but evidence regarding immediate effects remains limited. Objective: This participant- and outcome-assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial evaluated immediate clinical and electromyographic effects of a […]

Immediate and Short-Term Effects of Nature-Based Immersive Virtual Reality During Dry Needling: A Single-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

J Clin Med. 2026 Jul 20;15(14):5683. doi: 10.3390/jcm15145683. ABSTRACT Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of nature-based immersive virtual reality (IVR) applied during dry needling (DN) on pain experienced during the procedure and on immediate and short-term post-intervention outcomes, compared with traditional DN, with a primary focus on immediate post-intervention pain intensity. Methods: […]