Dry Needling Versus Graston Technique in Active Myofascial Trigger Points on Upper Trapezius

Comparison of Dry Needling and Graston Technique in Active Myofascial Trigger Points on Upper Trapezius

This study will compare the effects dry needling and Graston technique in active myofascial trigger points on upper trapezius. Half of the study participants will receive dry needling whereas other half will receive Graston technique.

This is a single blinded randomized controlled trial, will be conducted at Rawal General & Dental Hospital, Islamabad. Both dry needling and Graston Techniques are used to release active Myofascial Trigger points with different mechanism.

Dry needling is technique in which without any medication or injection, dry needles are inserted into hyper irritable points in muscle. Graston technique is done with specially designed tools to locate knots within muscle by running the tools over the skin.

This study is planned with objectives to compare both treatment techniques on active myofascial trigger points in patients with neck pain. Effects of these will be measured on Neck Pain, Range of Motion, functional status and trigger points.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient with non-specific pain in neck (acute and sub-acute)
• Age: 20-40 years
• Patient agrees to use the dry needling or Graston exclusively

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients that were using any medication to reduce the pain and/or have any effect in the skeleton muscle.
• Patient taking other treatment in the same period of research.
• Patients having malignancy, tuberculosis, spinal cord injury, neurodegenerative diseases radiculopathies and hematoma.
• Patients on anticoagulants.
• Patient with chronic neck pain.