Neurophysiological Effects of Dry Needling in Patients With Neck Pain

Neurophysiological Effects of Dry Needling in Patients With Neck Pain

The present study aims to evaluate the differences that may be experienced in pain and cervical disability, before, during and just after the intervention of the Deep Dry Needling in the upper trapezius muscle in active, passive myofascial trigger points (MTP) or non-MTP in Patients with neck pain, assessing, in turn, the neurophysiological effects on the Autonomic Nervous System.

Hypothesis: Deep Dry Needling of active myofascial trigger points produces a greater decrease of pain and cervical disability index and increase of pressure pain threshold; Than the Deep Dry Needling of Myofascial Trigger Points latent or out of Myofascial Trigger Points in patients with chronic neck pain.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of Deep Dry Needling applied on Active Myofascial Triggers (MTP) vs. latent MTP versus MTP, on pain reduction and cervical disability, in patients with chronic neck pain attributable to Myofascial Pain Syndrome.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Non-specific neck pain, unilateral or bilateral.

• Neck pain ≥ 3 months of duration.

• Presence of active and latent MTP in the upper, left, right or bilateral trapezius muscle, in relation to the patient's neck pain.

• Clinical criteria recommended to identify active and latent MTP:

  1. Tensile band palpable.
  2. Exquisite local pain at the pressure of a taut band node.
  3. Recognition by the patient of their usual pain when pressing on the sensitive nodule (to identify an active MTP).
  4. Painful limitation of range of mobility to complete stretching. It is considered positive when 3 of the 4 clinical criteria are found.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unsurpassed fear of needles.
• Coagulation disorders.
• Specific alterations of the cervical region in the clinical history.
• Infiltration of corticosteroids or local anesthetics during a year before the study.
• Surgical intervention of the cervical region or previous shoulder.
• Skin lesions in the area, as well as infection or inflammation.
• Taking analgesic, anti-inflammatory or anticoagulant medication the week before the study.
• Treatment of MTP or Deep Dry Needling in the neck region in the 6 months prior to the intervention.
• Cognitive deficit in the medical history.