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How Does Needle Depth Impact Treatment Effects From Dry Needling?

April 21, 2019

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Dry needling is a treatment provided by Physical Therapists to relieve a patient’s muscular pain and associated symptoms. This intervention can be performed in both extremity and spinal regions within the body. Current research continues to investigate the mechanisms behind its’ effectiveness, as well as, the most appropriate patient populations and diagnoses for its’ utilization. In addition, authors are trying to determine which parameters of the treatment such as needle placement, needle number, duration of treatment, utilization of electrical stimulation and needle depth may be modified for optimal treatment effects.

Griswold and colleagues reviewed the available evidence behind needle interventions for spinal pain to determine if depth of needle placement influences treatment effects (JMMT. 2019). Authors included 12 studies in the systematic review and 10 studies in the meta analysis. They reported both superficial and deep dry needling improved pain but significantly better outcomes on pain were found for utilization of deep dry needling. In addition, there was a greater effect when needles were placed in the area of pain compared to a distal site on the body.

Contact the experts at MEND to learn more on how dry needling can improve your current symptoms