BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Buttonhole needling is reported to be associated with less pain than standard needling. The purpose of this study was to compare patient perceived pain and fistula complications in buttonhole and standard needling. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS In this study, 140 conventional hemodialysis patients were randomly assigned to buttonhole or standard needl...

OBJECTIVES To compare the efficacies of dry needling of trigger points (TrPs) with and without paraspinal needling in myofascial pain syndrome of elderly patients. DESIGN Single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. SUBJECTS Forty (40) subjects, between the ages of 63 and 90 with myofascial pain syndrome of the upper trapezius muscle. INTERVENTIONS Eighteen (18) subjects were treated with...

Purpose There is an experimental study that suggests deep needling with rotation produces higher acupuncture needling sensation than superficial needling with mock rotation. Also, there are opposing results about the relationship between acupuncture needling sensation and analgesic effect. In this study, we intend to investigate the relationship between acupuncture needling sensation and analge...

Background: Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are widely accepted by clinicians and researchers as a primary source of pain. Needling is one common treatment, with dry needling as effective as injection. What is not clear is whether or not needling of any kind is superior to placebo. Objectives: To update a systematic literature review and meta-analysis (undertaken in 2007) investigating the ef...

Needling therapy has been widely used for pain control. " Needling " includes all procedures with penetration of a needle through the skin with injection of medication (injection therapy) or without introduction of any drug (dry needling). In either injection or dry needling, the site of treatment can be at the site of pain (direct needling) or far from the site of pain (remote needling). Needl...

BACKGROUND Traditionally, acupuncturists manipulate needles to enhance sensations referred to as de qi or 'acupuncture needle sensation'. Acupuncture needle sensations are complex and quantifying the experience has been difficult. The aim of this crossover study was to measure self-reported needle sensation during deep and bi-directional rotated needling in 15 healthy volunteers. METHODS Each...

Background: Acupuncture has been practiced in Western countries for more than 40 years. One type of needling therapy termed dry needling has gained popularity rapidly since 2000. However a strong debate and conflict exists between proponents of dry needling by physical therapists and proponents of acupuncture. Objectives: This review explores similarities and differences between dry needling an...

BACKGROUND Dry needling at distant myofascial trigger points is an effective pain management in patients with myofascial pain. However, the biochemical effects of remote dry needling are not well understood. This study evaluates the remote effects of dry needling with different dosages on the expressions of substance P (SP) in the proximal muscle, spinal dorsal horns of rabbits. METHODS Male ...

STUDY DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis. BACKGROUND Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is associated with hyperalgesic zones in muscle called myofascial trigger points. When palpated, active myofascial trigger points cause local or referred symptoms, including pain. Dry needling involves inserting an acupuncture-like needle into a myofascial trigger point, with the goal of reducing pain ...

Background: Pneumothorax is a very rare but serious complication associated with acupuncture and dry needling around the thoracic region. Physiotherapists and other health practitioners should be aware of the risks associated with needling in this region and should take care to minimize the possibility of an iatrogenic pneumothorax. Findings: An awareness of the signs and symptoms of a pneumoth...