A dual-database bibliometric analysis on dry needling for pain: Global trends and hotspots from web of science core collection and Scopus (2006-2025)

Front Neurol. 2026 Mar 4;17:1713196. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2026.1713196. eCollection 2026. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: Dry needling (DN) has been shown to exert beneficial effects in pain management. However, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis specifically examining the relationship between DN and pain has not yet been conducted. This study aims to systematically evaluate the global research landscape and emerging trends […]

Dry needling frequency and its effect on pain and disability in acute cervical myofascial pain: a multicenter study

Ann Phys Rehabil Med. 2026 Mar 18;69(5):102112. doi: 10.1016/j.rehab.2026.102112. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Optimal dry needling frequency for chronic mechanical neck pain remains uncertain, warranting dose-response testing. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether dry needling delivered once (DN1x) vs 3 (DN3x) times per week provides differential effects compared with sham DN on muscle stiffness and […]

Temporalis Muscle-Originated Supraorbital Neuralgia Misdiagnosed as Trigeminal Neuralgia

J Craniofac Surg. 2026 Mar 16. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000012643. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT In patients with pharmacotherapy-refractory supraorbital neuralgia, a myofascial etiology should be included in the differential diagnosis. The authors report a case of a 73-year-old man with left supraorbital pain triggered by mastication, initially misdiagnosed as trigeminal neuralgia (V1). Physical examination identified a […]

Thumbtack needling combined with sodium hyaluronate eye drops for moderate-to-severe dry eye

Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2026 Mar 12;46(3):361-366. doi: 10.13703/j.0255-2930.20250206-0002. Epub 2026 Jan 6. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy of thumbtack needling combined with sodium hyaluronate eye drops in the treatment of moderate-to-severe dry eye. METHODS: A total of 72 patients with moderate-to-severe dry eye were randomly divided into a thumbtack needling group and a […]

Musculoskeletal Treatments: Physical Modalities

FP Essent. 2026 Feb;561:22-29. ABSTRACT Chronic musculoskeletal pain disorders account for 70% to 80% of chronic pain diagnoses in the United States. T he most common conditions are low back pain, neck pain, headache disorders, and knee and hip osteoarthritis. Most evidence suggests that treatments for chronic pain are best used in combination, such as […]

Effects of Spinal Manipulation and Dry Needling on Headache and Migraine: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Authors:Rubén Maroto-García, Samuel Sánchez-Fernández, Germán Monclús-Díez, Sandra Sánchez-Jorge, Mónica López-Redondo, Marcin Kołacz, Dariusz Kosson, Juan Antonio Valera-Calero J Clin Med. 2026 Mar 9;15(5):2084. doi: 10.3390/jcm15052084. ABSTRACT Background/Objectives: Cervical pain is defined as pain in the neck that may or may not radiate to one or both upper extremities and lasts at least one day. Headaches […]

Development and internal validation of a therapeutic effect predictive model for myofascial pain syndrome

Authors: Xiumei Zhu , Wanquan Cheng Front Neurol. 2026 Feb 24;17:1761946. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2026.1761946. eCollection 2026. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) is a common chronic pain disorder, and there are significant individual differences in its clinical efficacy. Currently, there is a lack of reliable prediction tools to guide individualized treatment decisions. This study aimed to […]

Integrating Functional Anatomy into Dry Needling Education in a DPT Curriculum

Authors:Wanli Lei, Mitchell Wolden J Allied Health. 2026 Spring;55(1):55-68. doi: 10.21091/jah.2026.01007. ABSTRACT PURPOSE: Dry needling (DN) is increasingly included in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) curricula, yet standardized education integrating functional anatomy and clinical reasoning is limited. This study evaluated the impact of an intensive, anatomy-based DN elective on students’ perceived knowledge, confidence, clinical skills, […]

Curricular Variability in Dry Needling Education Across Entry-Level DPT Programs in the US

Authors: Tiffany L Barrett, Gary A Kearns, Emilio J Puentedura, Jean-Michel Brismée Med Sci Educ. 2025 Oct 6;35(6):3013-3024. doi: 10.1007/s40670-025-02511-8. eCollection 2025 Dec. ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Dry needling is increasingly used by physical therapists to manage pain and neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction. Despite widespread clinical adoption and regulatory support across most United States (US), dry needling instruction in […]

Efficacy of Topical 5-Fluorouracil Combined with Microneedling in the Treatment of Stable Vitiligo

Authors:Narmeen Mohammed Baher Abdulqader, Dindar Sharif Qurtas, Barzan Khalid Sharaf J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2026 Mar;36(3):406-409. doi: 10.29271/jcpsp.2026.03.406. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of topical 5-Fluorouracil combined with microneedling in treating stable vitiligo. STUDY DESIGN: A clinical prospective trial. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Dermatology, Azadi Teaching Hospital, Duhok, Iraq, […]

Western medical acupuncture techniques for pain management in athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors:Karima Chaabna, Anupama Jithesh, Jibrail Cheema, Jasmine Aboughanem, Ravinder Mamtani Front Med (Lausanne). 2026 Feb 17;13:1737602. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2026.1737602. eCollection 2026. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal pain can undermine athletic performance. Medical procedures that fall under Western medical acupuncture (WMA) such as dry needling, grounded in conventional scientific principles, represent a promising adjunct to conventional pain treatments. However, […]

Comparison of the Efficacy of Corticosteroid Injection and Dry Needling in Treating Lateral Epicondylitis: An Observational Study

Authors:Bikash Thapa, Ritesh Sinha, Sailendra Kumar Duwal Shrestha, Adarsha Mahaseth, Satya Priya Shivakotee, Sujan Shrestha, Manoj Nepali, Sumit Yadav JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc. 2025 Nov;63(291):797-802. doi: 10.31729/jnma.v63i2091.9241. Epub 2025 Nov 30. ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Lateral epicondylitis is a common cause of lateral elbow pain that impairs grip strength and daily activities. While corticosteroid injection offers […]

The Effect of Dry Needling on Sleep Quality in Individuals With Musculoskeletal Pain Disorders

Authors:Ray M Lunasin, Guy Terry, Sharon Wang-Price Pain Res Manag. 2026 Feb 26;2026:7008601. doi: 10.1155/prm/7008601. eCollection 2026. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: To explore existing evidence and identify whether dry needling (DN) intervention has effects on sleep disturbance in patients with musculoskeletal pain. METHODS: The Arksey and O’Malley framework guided the scoping review methodology. Seven databases were searched […]

Response to comments on “Synergistic effect of dry needling and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization in patellofemoral pain syndrome: a randomized controlled trial”

Authors: Mary Kamal Nassif Takla J Man Manip Ther. 2026 Mar 1:1-3. doi: 10.1080/10669817.2026.2638856. Online ahead of print. NO ABSTRACT PMID:41765682 | DOI:10.1080/10669817.2026.2638856

Identifying Early Responders to Dry Needling for Lower-Limb Spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis: A Secondary Responder Analysis of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Authors:Alberto Javier-Ormazábal, Marta González-Sierra, Montserrat González-Platas Brain Sci. 2026 Feb 21;16(2):240. doi: 10.3390/brainsci16020240. ABSTRACT Background/Objectives: Response heterogeneity limits the implementation of dry needling for spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS). This secondary analysis aimed to identify early responders and explore predictors of response. Methods: We conducted a responder analysis of a pilot randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial […]

Physiological correlates and predictors of vasovagal responses following dry needling in myofascial pain syndrome: a controlled observational study

Authors:Robert Trybulski, Adrian Kużdżał, Gracjan Olaniszyn, Bartosz Kapustka, Wiesław Marcol, Katarzyna Walicka-Cupryś Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2026 Feb 23;18:1759720X261422368. doi: 10.1177/1759720X261422368. eCollection 2026. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Vasovagal responses (VVR) are common transient autonomic reactions to invasive procedures such as injections or needling, characterized by bradycardia, hypotension, and transient loss of consciousness; however, their occurrence and underlying […]

Fractional Microneedling Radiofrequency for Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Real-World Retrospective Study Demonstrating Clinical Efficacy and Safety Across Diverse Anatomical Sites

Authors: Ari Safir, Eyal Taleb, Daniella Berzin, Manny Arieli , Aspasia Liassidou, Waseem Shehadeh, Ariela Hafner, Ofir Artzi J Cosmet Dermatol. 2026 Mar;25(3):e70748. doi: 10.1111/jocd.70748. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) remains a therapeutically challenging disease despite expanding research and evolving systemic treatments. Energy-based modalities, such as fractional microneedling radiofrequency (FMR), are being increasingly explored as […]

Exploring the Effectiveness, Tolerability, and Safety of the Adjunctive Use of Microneedling With Tranexamic Acid in the Treatment of Melasma

Authors:Sharon Dhaliwal, Navneet Dhanoa, Zaina Rashid J Cosmet Dermatol. 2026 Mar;25(3):e70763. doi: 10.1111/jocd.70763. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Melasma is a chronic pigment disorder associated with significant psychosocial burden. The gold standard triple combination cream is effective but limited by relapse and adverse effects. Tranexamic acid (TXA) and microneedling have independently shown promise in the treatment of melasma, […]

Clinical impact and relevance of dry needling site location in the management of chronic neck pain

Authors:Renu Burathi, Suman Pradhan, Aditi Popli J Man Manip Ther. 2026 Feb 16:1-2. doi: 10.1080/10669817.2026.2632719. Online ahead of print. NO ABSTRACT PMID:41693413 | DOI:10.1080/10669817.2026.2632719

Early Return to Competitive Sport Following a Surgically Managed Mandibular Fracture: A Multimodal Ultrasound-Guided Rehabilitation Case Report

Authors:Alexandru Mazareanu, George Balaiasa Dragos, Maria Iacob, Alin Pandea, Andrada Elena Dicut, Razvan Liviu Petre J Orthop Case Rep. 2026 Feb;16(2):130-132. doi: 10.13107/jocr.2026.v16.i02.6772. ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Mandibular fractures in high-performance athletes challenge both structural stability and the rapid restoration of sport-specific function. Standard rehabilitation following open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) often overlooks neuromuscular re-education, cervical-mandibular […]