Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare & Health Studies, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel | [b] Physical Therapy Clinic, The Ribstein Center for Sport Medicine Sciences and Research, Wingate Institute, Israel | [c] Department of Physical Therapy, Delaware Rehabilitation Institute, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Gali Dar, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare & Health studies, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel. Tel.: +972 50 5662054; E-mail:galidar@yahoo.com,gdar@univ.haifa.ac.il
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Dry needling of muscles is mainly used for the
management of pain in musculoskeletal disorders. Yet, the association
between dry needling and motor performance of muscles is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the immediate effect of dry needling on
lumbar multifidus muscles' function in healthy subjects. METHODS: Twenty-eight volunteers were divided randomly into: study
group (13 subjects) and control group (15 subjects) who underwent no
intervention. Study group received dry needling to the lumbar multifidus
muscles using a deep insertion technique with 4 needles (2 on each side of
the spine). The needles were left in situ for 10 minutes.
Ultrasound imaging was used to measure multifidus muscles' thickness, pre
and post-procedure during rest in a prone position and during contralateral
active straight leg extension. RESULTS: Significant difference was found in the percentage of
change of muscle activation post needling between groups on the right side
at level L4-5. A slight increase in the percentage of muscle activity, post
procedure was observed in the dry needling group compared with the control
group, although not significant in other segments examined. CONCLUSION: An improvement of back muscle function following dry
needling procedure in healthy individuals was found. This implies that dry
needling might stimulate motor nerve fibers and as such increase muscle
activity.
Keywords: Ultrasound imaging, acupuncture, back muscles, spine, muscle strength
