Dry needling is a hot topic in the world of manual medicine, which includes chiropractors, physical therapists, acupuncturists, and orthopedic doctors. Dry needling is also called trigger point dry needling or myofascial trigger point dry needling, and is a way to help reduce muscle trigger points and pain in patients.

Muscles move bones and joints, but when the muscles are unable to move effectively, due to trigger points, or other imbalances, pain is frequently the result. For some individuals, degenerative joints further contribute to the pain problem, and there is a compounding effect of muscle dysfunction.

In order to better understand the relationship between trigger points, pain relief, and dry needling, researchers are now performing studies to determine the effectiveness of dry needling for various conditions. Researchers from the University of Valladolid and the University of Zaragoza (both in Spain) published a paper in the journal, Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, specifically addressing the effects of dry needling on individuals with hip pain and osteoarthritis in the hip.

Highlights from the Research Paper on Dry Needling, Pain Relief, and Arthritis Includes:

• Double blind randomized controlled study
• Purpose of the study to determine the short-term effects of dry needling on pain, hip ROM and physical function in patients with hip osteoarthritis (degeneration)
• 30 patients involved in the research project
• Over the course of three (3) sessions, dry needling was applied to the active muscle trigger points of the iliopsoas, rectus femoris, tensor fasciae latae and gluteus minimus muscles
  • These muscles are all major hip stabilizers
• Pain intensity, passive hip range of motion, and physical function (30s chair-stand test and 20m walk test) were assessed at baseline and after the three treatment sessions
• Following three dry needling sessions, the results demonstrated a decreased pain intensity, increased hip range of motion, and improved physical function following the treatments
• These improvements were statistically significant compared to the sham group which experienced an increased pain intensity and decreased hip range of motion following their “fake” treatments
• The researchers concluded, ” Pain, hip range of motion, and physical function improved after the application of dry needling in active muscle trigger points of the hip muscles in patients with hip osteoarthritis.”

Synergy Chiropractic of Houston Provides Dry Needling for Relief

Dr. Reece Hayden of Synergy Chiropractic of Houston provides dry needling services to patients with a variety of pain related muscle imbalances. Hip pain and osteoarthritis are only two of the many conditions with which patients report relief. Do you experience hip pain, or pain in other areas of the body? Contact our office to experience pain relief with dry needling.