Dry Needling Versus Sham Needling for Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Critically Appraised Topic

in International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training
Melissa Jack DAT, LAT, ATC * , 1 , Ryan Tierney PhD, LAT, ATC * , 2 , Jamie Mansell PhD, LAT, ATC * , 2 , and Anne Russ PhD, LAT, ATC * , 2
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  • 1 Houston Methodist
  • 2 Temple University
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/ijatt.2019-0109
Keywords:
neurophysiology; sports medicine; trigger points
In Print:
Volume 25: Issue 6
Pages:
289–293
Restricted access

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Focused Clinical Question: In patients with myofascial trigger point pain, does dry needling result in greater decreases in pain compared to sham needling? Clinical Bottom Line: The evidence supporting dry needling as more effective than sham needling in reducing patients’ pain is mixed.

Jack is with Houston Methodist, Houston, TX, USA. Tierney, Mansell, and Russ are with Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Jack (melissalynnjack@gmail.com) is corresponding author.

International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training

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