Dry needling trigger points around knee and hip joints improves function in patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2021 Jul;27:597-604. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2021.04.011. Epub 2021 Apr 30. ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Dry needling may be an effective method to alleviate pain and improve range of motion. Controversial results have been found in previous studies using dry needling in knee problems. So, the aim of current study is to exert dry needling technique […]

Immediate decrease of muscle biomechanical stiffness following dry needling in asymptomatic participants

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2021 Jul;27:605-611. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2021.04.014. Epub 2021 Apr 22. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Biomechanical muscle stiffness has been linked to musculoskeletal disorders. Assessing changes in muscle stiffness following DN may help elucidate a physiologic mechanism of DN. This study characterizes the effects of dry needling (DN) to the infraspinatus, erector spinae, and gastrocnemius muscles […]

Somatosensory Pulsatile Tinnitus Syndrome (SSPT) Revisited

Int Tinnitus J. 2021 Mar 1;25(1):39-45. doi: 10.5935/0946-5448.2021009. ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Our initial study reported consecutive patients with constant cardiac synchronous subjective tinnitus (pulsatile tinnitus without an identifiable acoustic source (P)) all of whom could suppress their pulsations with head and neck intense muscle contractions (“somatic testing” (ST)). The term somatosensory pulsatile tinnitus syndrome (SSPT) was […]

Common Dermatologic Procedures and the Associated Complications Unique to Skin of Color

Dermatol Surg. 2021 Mar 1;47(3):355-359. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000002813. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The skin of color (SOC) population in the United States continues to grow, and these patients are undergoing various cosmetic and surgical procedures at increasing rates. There is a paucity of data on the potential complications associated with surgical and cosmetic procedures in this patient population. […]

Manual joint mobilisation techniques, supervised physical activity, psychological treatment, acupuncture and patient education for patients with tension-type headache. A systematic review and meta-analysis

J Headache Pain. 2021 Aug 21;22(1):96. doi: 10.1186/s10194-021-01298-4. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Tension-type headache (TTH) has been ranked the second most prevalent health condition worldwide. Non-pharmacological treatments for TTH are widely used as a supplement or an alternative to medical treatment. However, the evidence for their effects are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to […]

Future Challenges for Physical Therapy during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study on the Experience of Physical Therapists in Spain

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Aug 7;18(16):8368. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18168368. ABSTRACT This qualitative exploratory study addressed the perspectives of Spanish physical therapists (PTs) regarding (a) the organization of their work during the first wave of the pandemic; (b) their role within the intensive care units (ICUs); (c) management of COVID-19 survivors; (d) potential future […]

Author Response to "Are Findings From a Pragmatic Dry Needling Trial Always Applicable in the Real World?"

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2021 Sep;51(9):471-472. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2021.0202-R. ABSTRACT Author response to the JOSPT Letter to the Editor-in-Chief “Are Findings From a Pragmatic Dry Needling Trial Always Applicable in the Real World?” J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2021;51(9):471-472. doi:10.2519/jospt.2021.0202-R. PMID:34465142 | DOI:10.2519/jospt.2021.0202-R

Acute effects of functional dry needling on skeletal muscle function

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2021 Apr;26:123-127. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.12.006. Epub 2020 Dec 11. ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Functional dry needling (FDN) is commonly used to treat soft tissue pain-related conditions. Previous research has demonstrated benefits to chronic resistance training; however, objective physiological measures sensitive to acute exercise have not been found. The purpose of this study was to […]

Short-term effects of dry needling at a spinal and peripheral site on functional outcome measures, strength, and proprioception among individuals with a lateral ankle sprain

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2021 Apr;26:158-166. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.12.021. Epub 2021 Feb 6. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of spinal and peripheral dry needling with peripheral dry needling alone, in addition to a strength and proprioception home exercise program, on pain, balance, strength, proprioception, and functional limitations among individuals […]

Comparison between dry needling plus manual therapy with manual therapy alone on pain and function in overhead athletes with scapular dyskinesia: A randomized clinical trial

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2021 Apr;26:339-346. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.11.017. Epub 2020 Nov 24. ABSTRACT Muscles’ trigger points can induce scapular dyskinesia (SD) which interferes with overhead athletes’ professional training. We aimed to evaluate effects of dry needling (DN) alone and plus manual therapy (MT) on pain and function of overhead athletes with SD. 40 overhead athletes […]

Dry needling strategies for musculoskeletal conditions: Do the number of needles and needle retention time matter? A narrative literature review

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2021 Apr;26:353-363. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.12.003. Epub 2020 Dec 3. ABSTRACT Acupuncture and dry needling are both minimally invasive procedures that use thin, filiform needles without injectate for the management of a variety of neuromusculoskeletal pain conditions. While the theoretical constructs underlying the use of acupuncture and dry needling are unique, both appear […]

Accuracy of rib palpation for dry needling of deep periscapular musculature, measured with ultrasound

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2021 Apr;26:7-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.10.008. Epub 2020 Oct 13. ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Dry needling of the periscapular musculature is a procedure commonly performed by physical therapists. Needling of the deep musculature may be challenging, and use of a thoracic rib as a “backstop” is often applied to prevent inadvertent puncture of the pleura. […]

Comparative Efficacy of Nonoperative Treatments for Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Clin J Sport Med. 2021 Mar 12. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000924. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: An evolved understanding of the pathophysiology of greater trochanteric pain syndrome has led to a number of proposed nonoperative management strategies. The objective of this review was to compare the efficacy of the various nonoperative treatments for greater trochanteric pain […]

Protocols Used by Occupational Therapists on Shoulder Pain after Stroke: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Occup Ther Int. 2021 May 3;2021:8811721. doi: 10.1155/2021/8811721. eCollection 2021. ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Shoulder pain as a consequence after a stroke has multifactorial causes and can prevent the functional return of the upper limb. In addition, the effectiveness of clinical protocols applied by occupational therapists remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To identify the main treatments currently used by […]

Corrigendum to 'Spinal manipulation and perineural electrical dry needling in patients with cervicogenic headache: a multi-center randomized clinical trial' [The Spine Journal 21/2 (2021) p284-295]

Spine J. 2021 May 22:S1529-9430(21)00197-2. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2021.04.014. Online ahead of print. NO ABSTRACT PMID:34034968 | DOI:10.1016/j.spinee.2021.04.014

Intramuscular Electrical Stimulation Combined with Therapeutic Exercises in Patients with Shoulder Adhesive Capsulitis: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Int J Surg Protoc. 2021 May 18;25(1):71-83. doi: 10.29337/ijsp.25. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) precipitate the shoulder pain severity and disability in patients with shoulder adhesive capsulitis (SAC). This study aims to compare the effectiveness of intramuscular electrical stimulation (IMES) combined with therapeutic exercises versus dry needling (DN) combined with therapeutic exercises in improving […]

Current advances and novel research on minimal invasive techniques for musculoskeletal disorders

Dis Mon. 2021 Jun 4:101210. doi: 10.1016/j.disamonth.2021.101210. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT The present review summarized the current advances and novel research on minimal invasive techniques for musculoskeletal disorders. Different invasive approaches were proposed in the physical therapy field for the management of musculoskeletal disorders, such as ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle electrolysis, dry needling, acupuncture and […]

Botulinum toxin type A and acupuncture for masticatory myofascial pain: a randomized clinical trial

J Appl Oral Sci. 2021 Jun 4;29:e20201035. doi: 10.1590/1678-7757-2020-1035. eCollection 2021. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: BoNT-A has been widely used for TMD therapy. However, the potential benefits compared to dry needling techniques are not clear. OBJECTIVE: this study aimed to compare the immediate effects of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injections and Acupuncture in myofascial temporomandibular disorders […]

Image-guided intervention in the management of chronic patellar tendinopathy with calcification: a three-pronged approach

BMJ Case Rep. 2021 Jun 11;14(6):e240553. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2020-240553. ABSTRACT Patellar tendinopathy is a common cause of knee pain and functional impairment in athletes. It is commonly managed using conservative measures such as physiotherapy, but cases that are refractory to such treatment may require a more invasive approach. Various forms of image-guided injection therapy have been […]

Immediate Effects of Dry Needling on the Autonomic Nervous System and Mechanical Hyperalgesia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jun 3;18(11):6018. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18116018. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Dry needling (DN) is often used for the treatment of muscle pain among physiotherapists. However, little is known about the mechanisms of action by which its effects are generated. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to determine if the use […]