Dry needling in the management of myofascial trigger points: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

ObjectiveThis systematic review of randomized controlled trials aimed to examine the effectiveness of dry needling in the treatment of myofascial trigger points and to explore the impact of specific aspects of the technique on its effectiveness.MethodsRelevant studies published between 2000 and 2015 were identified by searching PubMed, Scopus, The Cochrane Library and Physiotherapy Evidence Database. Studies identified by electronic searches were screened against a set of pre-defined inclusion criteria.ResultsFifteen studies were included in this systematic review. The main outcomes that were measured were pain, range of motion, disability, depression and quality of life. The results suggest that dry needling is effective in the short term for pain relief, increase range of motion and improve quality of life when compared to no intervention/sham/placebo. There is insufficient evidence on its effect on disability, analgesic medication intake and sleep quality.ConclusionsDespite some evidence for a positive effect in the short term, further randomized clinical trials of high methodological quality, using standardized procedures for the application of dry needling are needed.     

超声引导下针刺触发点治疗足底筋膜炎

目的 观察超声引导下针刺触发点治疗足底筋膜炎的临床效果。方法 选取48例足底筋膜炎患者，并随机分为2组，对单纯组（n=24）采用单纯非负重跖腱膜拉伸训练，联合组（n=24）采用超声引导下针刺触发点结合非负重跖腱膜拉伸训练；分别于治疗前（T₀）及治疗后1个月（T₁）、3个月（T₂）对患者进行"第1步"数字疼痛评分（NPRS）、美国矫形外科足踝协会踝-后足功能评分（AOFAS）以及36条目健康调查量表中生理（PCS）和心理（MCS）评分。结果 治疗前后2组NPRS、AOFAS、PCS和MCS评分总体差异均有统计学意义（P均<0.01），治疗后均较治疗前改善。联合组T₁和T₂的NPRS均低于单纯组（P均<0.01），T₁和T₂的AOFAS、PCS评分均高于单纯组（P均<0.05），而2组间T₁和T₂的MCS评分差异均无统计学意义（P均>0.05）。结论 超声引导下针刺触发点联合拉伸训练和单纯非负重跖腱膜拉伸训练对于足底筋膜炎均有效，前者缓解疼痛和改善足踝功能效果更佳。     

A systematic review of manual therapy techniques,dry cupping and dry needling in the reduction of myofascial pain and myofascial trigger points

IntroductionMyofascial pain with myofascial triggers are common musculoskeletal complaints. Popular treatments include manual therapy, dry needling, and dry cupping. The purpose of this systematic review was to compare the efficacy of each treatment in the short-term relief of myofascial pain and myofascial trigger points.MethodsSearch engines included Google Scholar, EBSCO Host, and PubMed. Searches were performed for each modality using the keywords myofascial pain syndrome and myofascial trigger points. The inclusion criteria included English-language, peer-reviewed journals; a diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome or trigger points; manual therapy, dry needling, or dry cupping treatments; retrospective studies or prospective methodology; and inclusion of outcome measures.ResultsEight studies on manual therapy, twenty-three studies on dry needling, and two studies on dry cupping met the inclusion criteria. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) was utilized to assess the quality of all articles.DiscussionWhile there was a moderate number of randomized controlled trials supporting the use of manual therapy, the evidence for dry needling ranged from very low to moderate compared to control groups, sham interventions, or other treatments and there was a paucity of data on dry cupping. Limitations included unclear methodologies, high risk for bias, inadequate blinding, no control group, and small sample sizes.ConclusionWhile there is moderate evidence for manual therapy in myofascial pain treatment, the evidence for dry needling and cupping is not greater than placebo. Future studies should address the limitations of small sample sizes, unclear methodologies, poor blinding, and lack of control groups.     

Myofascial pain syndromes from trigger points

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common cause of acute and chronic pain that can complicate other medical illnesses and injuries. It is both defined by and diagnosed by the presence of the myofascial trigger point. Current studies indicate that the trigger point is a dysfunctional motor end plate whose abnormal activity is modulated in some way by the sympathetic nervous system. Pain syndromes arise from trigger points as causes of local pain and of referred pain. Referred pain from a few or from many muscle trigger points produces regional or generalized pain. Treatment requires the elimination of the trigger point by manual therapy or by trigger point injection and correction of the mechanical and medical factors that initiate and perpetuate it.     

Brain manifestation and modulation of pain from myofascial trigger points

The brain plays a prominent role in the generation and modulation of pain. It contains powerful endogenous pain modulatory systems that can be engaged in a beneficial way by therapeutical intervention. In contrast, pain chronification is associated with maladaptive structural and functional changes that may shift the balance of the modulatory systems. Although pain from myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) is highly prevalent, little is known about its brain manifestations and modulation. Recent neuroimaging data suggest that hyperalgesia from MTrPs is processed in similar regions as hyperalgesia from other pain conditions. However, abnormal hippocampal hypoactivity suggests that dysfunctional stress responses may play an important role in the generation and maintenance of hyperalgesia from MTrPs. Other data suggest that short-term pain relief obtained with intramuscular electrostimulation within an MTrP is partially due to descending pain inhibitory mechanisms.     

灰阶超声联合剪切波弹性成像评估肌筋膜疼痛综合征患者肌筋膜疼痛触发点

目的 探讨灰阶超声联合剪切波弹性成像（SWE）技术评估肌筋膜疼痛综合征（MPS）患者肌筋膜疼痛触发点（MTrPs）处肌肉形态及组织学特性的价值。方法 以28例MPS患者（36个MTrPs）为病例组,33名健康志愿者（33个正常肌肉点）为对照组。由2名检查者分别测量病例组MTrPs （上斜方肌）厚度、剪切波传播速度（SWV）及杨氏模量值（E）,1名检查者测量对照组上述参数,1周后2组均重复测量。采用组内相关系数（ICC）评价2名检查者检测结果的一致性,以Pearson检验分析MPS患者疼痛视觉模拟量表（VAS）评分与上斜方肌厚度、SWV及E的相关性。结果 2名检查者重复测量一致性、时间一致性及检查者间一致性均好或优（ICC 0.73~0.98）。病例组MPS患者上斜方肌厚度、SWV及E均高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义（P均<0.05）。MPS患者VAS评分与上斜方肌厚度无相关性（r=0.016,P=0.945）,与SWV （r=0.709,P<0.001）、E （r=0.653,P=0.002）均呈正相关。结论 灰阶超声联合SWE可定量评估MPS患者MTrPs处肌肉形态及组织学特性。     

Documentation of myofascial trigger points

Two basic diagnostic features of myofascial trigger points (TPs), namely, local tenderness and alteration of tissue consistency (such as in taut bands, muscle spasm), can be documented quantitatively by simple hand-held instruments. A pressure threshold meter (algometer) assists in location of TPs and their relative sensitivity. A side-to-side difference exceeding 2kg in comparison with normal values indicates pathologic tenderness. The effect of treatment can be quantified. Pressure tolerance, measured over normal muscles and shin bones, expresses pain sensitivity. Myopathy is suspected if muscle tolerance drops below bone tolerance. Tissue compliance measurement documents objectively and quantitatively alteration in soft tissue consistency. Muscle spasm, tension, spasticity, taut bands, scar tissues, or fibrositic nodules can be documented. The universal clinical dynamometer is used as part of a physical examination to quantify weakness. Thermography (heat imaging) demonstrates discoid shaped hot spots over TPs. Muscle activity, spasm, or contraction is visualized as increased heat emission in the shape of the active muscle.     

The prevalence of myofascial trigger points in hip and thigh areas in anterior knee pain patients

BackgroundAnterior knee pain (AKP) is a widespread problem among young athletes and soldiers. There are many theories on the etiology of AKP but there is little reference to myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) as a possible contributor.AimTo evaluate the association between AKP and prevalence of active and latent MTrPs in the hip and thigh muscles in soldiers.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in the Beer-Sheva military outpatient physical therapy clinic. Subjects were 42 men and 23 women referred for physical therapy, 33 with a diagnosis of AKP (cases) and 32 with upper limb complaints (without AKP, controls). All subjects underwent physical evaluation by an examiner blinded to their identity and medical condition. The following muscles were assessed bilaterally for active or latent MTrPs: rectus femoris (proximal), vastus medialis (middle and distal), vastus lateralis (middle and distal) and gluteus medius (anterior, posterior and distal).ResultsIn six out of eight areas, the cases had a higher prevalence of total active and latent MTrPs than the controls. When summarizing MTrPs by muscle, cases had significantly more MTrPs than controls in each muscle. The largest difference was found in vastus medialis and vastus lateralis; nearly half of the cases had MTrPs in these muscles.ConclusionsSubjects with AKP have a greater prevalence of MTrPs in their hip and thigh muscles than controls, indicating an association between MTrPs and AKP. Further research is necessary to determine whether MTrPs are the cause or the consequence of AKP.     

Prevalence of and referred pain from myofascial trigger points in the forearm muscles in patients with lateral epicondylalgia

OBJECTIVE: Referred pain and pain characteristics evoked from the extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor carpi radialis longus, extensor digitorum communis, and brachioradialis muscles was investigated in 20 patients with lateral epicondylalgia (LE) and 20-matched controls. METHODS: Both groups were examined for the presence of myofascial trigger points (TrPs) in a blinded fashion. The quality and location of the evoked referred pain, and the pressure pain threshold (PPT) at the lateral epicondyle on the right upper extremity (symptomatic side in patients, and dominant-side on controls) were recorded. Several lateral elbow pain parameters were also evaluated. RESULTS: Within the patient group, the elicited referred pain by manual exploration of 13 out of 20 (65%) extensor carpi radialis brevis muscles, 12/20 (70%) extensor carpi radialis longus muscles, 10/20 (50%) brachioradialis muscles, and 5/20 (25%) extensor digitorum communis muscles, shares similar pain patterns as their habitual lateral elbow and forearm pain. The mean number of muscles with TrPs for each patient was 2.9 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1,4] of which 2 (95% CI 1,3) were active, and 0.9 (95% CI 0,2) were latent TrPs. Control participants only had latent TrPs (mean: 0.4; 95% CI 0,2). TrP occurrence between the 2 groups was significantly different for active TrPs (P<0.001), but not for latent TrPs (P>0.05). The referred pain pattern was larger in patients than in controls, with pain referral to the lateral epicondyle (proximally) and to the dorso-lateral aspect of the forearm in the patients, and confined to the dorso-lateral aspect of the forearm in the controls. Patients with LE showed a significant (P<0.001) lower PPT (mean: 2.1 kg/cm; 95% CI 0.8, 4 kg/cm) as compared with controls (mean: 4.5 kg/cm; 95% CI 3, 7 kg/cm). Within the patient group, PPT at the lateral epicondyle was negatively correlated with both the total number of TrPs (rs=-0.63; P=0.003) and the number of active TrPs (rs=-0.5; P=0.02): the greater the number of active TrPs, the lower the PPT at the lateral epicondyle. DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that in patients with LE, the evoked referred pain and its sensory characteristics shared similar patterns as their habitual elbow and forearm pain, consistent with active TrPs. Lower PPT and larger referred pain patterns suggest that peripheral and central sensitization exists in LE.     

Differences between myofascial trigger points and tender points

The article describes and compares the characteristics of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) of the myofascial pain syndrome and the tender points (TePs) of the fibromyalgia syndrome. Many statements are hypothetical, because not all aspects of the disorders have been clarified in solid studies. Signs and symptoms of MTrPs: (1) palpable nodule, often located close to the muscle belly, (2) often single, (3) allodynia and hyperalgesia at the MTrP, (4) referral of the MTrP pain, (5) normal pain sensitivity outside the MTrPs, (6) local twitch response, (7) local contracture in biopsy material, (8) peripheral mechanism probable. Signs and symptoms of TePs: (1) no palpable nodule, (2) location often close to the muscle attachments, (3) multiple by definition, (4) allodynia and hyperalgesia also outside the TePs, (5) enhanced pain under psychic stress, (6) unspecific histological changes in biopsy material, (7) central nervous mechanism probable. The multitude of differences speak against a common aetiology and pathophysiology.     

弹性成像引导下针刺激痛点治疗肌筋膜疼痛的疗效初探

目的 研究实时组织弹性成像（RTE）引导下针刺肌筋膜激痛点（MTrPs）治疗肌筋膜疼痛综合征（MPS）的应用价值。方法 研究对象为2017年8月至2018年8月在我院就诊的60例MPS患者,随机平均分为RTE组和传统针刺组,对患者进行随访1年,比较两组患者治疗前后MTrPs弹性评分、疼痛评分的差异并研究两者的相关性。比较两组患者的治疗效果及远期预后。结果 治疗后RTE组的弹性评分、视觉模拟评分(VAS) 和疼痛评定指数均明显低于传统针刺组（P＜0.05）,弹性评分与VAS、PRI、现时疼痛强度 (PPI)均呈正相关（均r＞0且P＜0.05）,其中弹性评分与VAS的相关程度最强（r=0.673, P=0.000）。MTrPs弹性评分与VAS在不同疗程中的变化趋势近似,均呈下降趋势（P＜0.05）。RTE组的显效率为86.7%,累计无复发率为93.33%,传统针刺组的显效率为60%,累计无复发率为57.14%,RTE组的显效率及累计无复发率均明显高于传统针刺组（P＜0.05）。结论 RTE引导下针刺MTrPs的治疗效果及预后均明显优于传统触诊法针刺。     

Dry needling to a key myofascial trigger point may reduce the irritability of satellite MTrPs

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in pressure pain threshold of the secondary (satellite) myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) after dry needling of a primary (key) active MTrP. DESIGN: Single blinded within-subject design, with the same subjects serving as their own controls (randomized). Fourteen patients with bilateral shoulder pain and active MTrPs in bilateral infraspinatus muscles were involved. An MTrP in the infraspinatus muscle on a randomly selected side was dry needled, and the MTrP on the contralateral side was not (control). Shoulder pain intensity, range of motion (ROM) of shoulder internal rotation, and pressure pain threshold of the MTrPs in the infraspinatus, anterior deltoid, and extensor carpi radialis longus muscles were measured in both sides before and immediately after dry needling. RESULTS: Both active and passive ROM of shoulder internal rotation, and the pressure pain threshold of MTrPs on the treated side, were significantly increased (P < 0.01), and the pain intensity of the treated shoulder was significantly reduced (P < 0.001) after dry needling. However, there were no significant changes in all parameters in the control (untreated) side. Percent changes in the data after needling were also analyzed. For every parameter, the percent change was significantly higher in the treated side than in the control side. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that dry needle-evoked inactivation of a primary (key) MTrP inhibits the activity in satellite MTrPs situated in its zone of pain referral. This supports the concept that activity in a primary MTrP leads to the development of activity in satellite MTrPs and the suggested spinal cord mechanism responsible for this phenomenon.     

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

IntroductionDry 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 on unilateral muscles around the hip and knee joints and evaluate its effects on knee osteoarthritic patients.MethodFor this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 40 female patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis (aged 45–70 years old) were recruited. They entered the study if they had any trigger points around the hip or knee joints of the examined side and randomized into two groups. Pain, sensitivity of trigger points, balance and function measured by visual analogue scale, algometer, Y-balance test, timed up and go, self-paced walk tests beside KOOS questionnaire respectively before and after intervention. The intervention group received 3 sessions of dry needling on marked trigger points while the sham group received sham treatment consisting of only the plastic cover of a needle. Both groups reexamined 2 weeks after primary evaluation.ResultsComparing results before and after implementing dry needling revealed significant improvements in all measured variables in treatment group whereas, pain and timed up and go increased and peak pain pressure decreased in sham group. Between group comparison revealed significant differences in all variables.ConclusionUsing 3 sessions of dry needling can increase functional activity, sensitivity and balance and decrease pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis in short term.     

按压肌筋膜触发点对功能性踝关节不稳患者的疗效研究

摘要目的：探讨按压肌筋膜触发点在功能性踝关节不稳（functional ankle instability, FAI）患者中的临床疗效。方法：选取西南大学医院康复医学中心门诊2021年5月—8月就诊的功能性踝关节不稳患者29例,随机分为试验组15例和对照组14例。试验组在踝关节平衡训练基础上增加按压肌筋膜触发点技术,对照组采用BOSU球进行踝关节平衡训练。分别在基线、干预第4周后和干预第8周后对两组患者进行疼痛视觉模拟评分（visual analogue scale, VAS）评估、踝关节功能量表评分（American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score,AOFAS）和Y平衡测试（Y-balance test, YBT）评估。结果：治疗前,两组患者在评估的各项指标上无明显差异（P>0.05）。治疗8周后,两组患者在VAS疼痛评分上均有显著降低（P<0.05）,Y平衡测试综合数值得到显著改善（P<0.01）,AOFAS踝关节功能评分得到显著提高（P<0.05）。治疗后,试验组在上述各项评估指标中均显著优胜于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：为期8周的平衡训练和平衡训练联合按压MTrPs治疗均对FAI患者有显著的临床康复疗效,而平衡训练联合按压MTrPs治疗在缓解FAI患者的疼痛、促进踝关节功能和动态平衡的改善等方面具有更好的康复效益。