Abstract
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)
Myofascial pain and dysfunction syndrome (MPDS) is presently considered to be the leading diagnosis amongst pain management physicians and the leading diagnosis amongst pain sufferers reporting to general practitioners (Harden, Bruehl, Gass, Niemiec & Barbick, 2000). The goal of dry needling and the other above mentioned soft tissue treatments is to alleviate the MTrP’s in the muscle, thereby restoring the muscle to its normal tissue mobility and returning it to proper functional capacity (Travell & Simons, 1999). A post-needling protocol may be used to reduce post-needling soreness at the needling site, to facilitate tissue repair after needling and to normalise muscle function and ROM after needling (Travell & Simons, 1999).
The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of dry needling on its own and in combination with a widely prescribed post-needling protocol of heat, active range of motion (ROM) exercises and passive stretches, with regards to changes in pressure pain threshold, pain and cervical spine ranges of motion, to determine which the superior treatment is.
Participants who went to the University of Johannesburg Chiropractic Day Clinic were eligible to participate in the study once they met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants were recruited by means of word of mouth as well as with the use of advertisements that were placed around the respective campuses of the University of Johannesburg.
Thirty participants were randomly assigned into one of two groups, each consisting of 15 participants. Group A received only dry needling to the upper trapezius muscle TP1 or TP2 whereas group B received dry needling to the upper trapezius muscle TP1 or TP2, moist heat, active ROM exercises and passive stretching of the upper trapezius muscles. Participants were treated for a total of 6 visits. Subjective and objective measurements were done at visits 1, 4 and a final visit 7 during which only measurements were taken.