Needling Interventions for Sciatica: Choosing Methods Based on Neuropathic Pain Mechanisms-A Scoping Review

J Clin Med. 2021 May 19;10(10):2189. doi: 10.3390/jcm10102189. ABSTRACT Sciatica is a condition often accompanied by neuropathic pain (NP). Acupuncture and dry needling are common treatments for pain, and the current literature supports acupuncture as an effective treatment for sciatica. However, it is unknown if the mechanisms of NP are considered in the delivery of […]

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 […]

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

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

The effect of dry needling & muscle energy technique separately and in combination in patients suffering shoulder impingement syndrome and active trigger points of infraspinatus

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2021 Apr;26:94-100. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.12.030. Epub 2020 Dec 28. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a combination of dry needling (DN) and muscle energy technique (MET) on pain intensity (PI), pressure pain threshold (PPT) and shoulder active range of motion (ROM) in patients with shoulder […]

Platelet-rich plasma for rotator cuff tendinopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PLoS One. 2021 May 10;16(5):e0251111. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251111. eCollection 2021. ABSTRACT Shoulder rotator cuff tendinopathy is a common debilitating condition that affects a person daily function and the quality of life. Despite its frequent occurrence, the best treatment is still inconclusive. This review assessed the clinical effect of platelet-rich plasma injection for rotator cuff tendinopathy. A […]

The challenges of "learning on the go": A qualitative study of final-year Spanish nursing students incorporated to work during the first Covid-19 pandemic

Nurse Educ Today. 2021 May 4;103:104942. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2021.104942. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic caused a shortage of qualified nurses in Spain. As a result, the government authorized the hiring of senior students. OBJECTIVES: To explore the perspectives of a group of final-year nursing students who were hired […]

The Effectiveness of Sternocleidomastoid Muscle Dry Needling in Patients with Cervicogenic Headache

Adv Biomed Res. 2021 Feb 26;10:10. doi: 10.4103/abr.abr_138_20. eCollection 2021. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is a secondary headache with a cervical source that radiates pain to the head or face. Accordingly, one reason of CGH is myofascial trigger points. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of one session dry needling […]

Pneumothorax Following Acupuncture

Cureus. 2021 Mar 31;13(3):e14207. doi: 10.7759/cureus.14207. ABSTRACT Pneumothorax, the accumulation of air between the visceral and parietal pleurae, represents a potentially serious cause of chest pain in patients presenting to the emergency department. While there are known risk factors for spontaneous pneumothorax, in rare cases dry needling and acupuncture, forms of complementary and alternative medicine, […]

Adjusted Indirect and Mixed Comparisons of Conservative Treatments for Hallux Valgus: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Apr 6;18(7):3841. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18073841. ABSTRACT Background: Hallux valgus (HV) deformity is a common, potentially debilitating deformity. And evidence with high-quality for the conservative treatments of HV deformity is still required.; AIMS: To compare the effects of different conservative treatments for hallux valgus deformity by using the method of […]

Electromyographic Assessment of the Efficacy of Deep Dry Needling versus the Ischemic Compression Technique in Gastrocnemius of Medium-Distance Triathletes

Sensors (Basel). 2021 Apr 21;21(9):2906. doi: 10.3390/s21092906. ABSTRACT Several studies have shown that gastrocnemius is frequently injured in triathletes. The causes of these injuries are similar to those that cause the appearance of the myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). The ischemic compression technique (ICT) and deep dry needling (DDN) are considered two of the main MPS […]

The Influence of Verbal Suggestion on Post-Needling Soreness and Pain Processing after Dry Needling Treatment: An Experimental Study

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Apr 15;18(8):4206. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18084206. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: It remains unclear as to whether verbal suggestions and expectancies can influence the perception of post-needling soreness. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of verbal suggestions on post-needling soreness after dry needling of the trapezius muscle. METHODS: This […]

The utilization and effects of filiform dry needling in the management of tendinopathy: a systematic review

Physiother Theory Pract. 2021 Apr 27:1-13. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2021.1920076. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT Background: Tendinopathy is frequently associated with pain, soft tissue impairments and muscle performance limitations. Dry needling (DN) incorporates a fine filiform needle to penetrate the skin and underlying soft tissue in an effort to decrease pain and improve function. While injectable interventions […]

Focused ultrasound mechanical disruption of ex vivo rat tendon

IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control. 2021 Apr 23;PP. doi: 10.1109/TUFFC.2021.3075375. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT Thirty million tendon injuries occur annually in the US costing $114 billion. Conservative therapies, like dry needling, promote healing in chronically injured tendon by inducing microdamage but have mixed success rates. Focused ultrasound (fUS) therapy can noninvasively fractionate tissues […]