Effect of dry needling on pain among young adults with trapezius myofascial trigger points

Abstract

Background

Myofascial trigger points in the trapezius muscle cause neck and shoulder pain, often due to poor posture or overuse. Dry needling is a minimally invasive treatment used to relieve such pain by targeting these trigger points. Although dry needling is used for myofascial pain, its effects on the upper and middle trapezius fibres in young adults are not well studied. This research aims to address that gap.

Materials and Methodology:

A pre-post experimental study was conducted on 56 young adults (18–25 years) with active trigger points in the upper and middle trapezius. After taking basic demographic data & pain status, dry needling was done on upper & middle trapezius following standard procedures. Pain was measured using NPRS: before, immediately after treatment and 24 hours after a single dry needling session.

Results: Dry needling significantly reduced pain in participants both immediately and 24 hours post-treatment, as shown by statistical analysis (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: The present study concluded that dry needling is effective in reducing pain among young adults with myofascial trigger points in the upper and middle trapezius muscles.