Post-needling soreness after myofascial trigger point dry needling: Current status and future research

Area of Science:

• Musculoskeletal pain management
• Rehabilitation science
• Pain physiology

Background:

• Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are common in pain conditions.
• Dry needling is a recommended treatment for MTrPs.
• Post-dry needling soreness is a frequent complication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current knowledge on post-dry needling soreness.
• To explore the clinical relevance and impact of this complication.
• To suggest future research directions.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on dry needling and post-needling soreness.
• Analysis of factors influencing patient perception of soreness.
• Discussion of the potential impact on treatment outcomes.

Main Results:

• Post-needling soreness is a common, typically short-lived ( < 72 hours) effect.
• High soreness levels can negatively affect patient perception of dry needling effectiveness.
• Patients with lower baseline pain or initial dissatisfaction are more likely to find soreness distressing.

Conclusions:

• Post-needling soreness requires further investigation regarding its clinical significance.
• Soreness can confound pain ratings and influence treatment adherence.
• Consideration of post-needling soreness is crucial when evaluating dry needling efficacy.