Postneedling soreness after deep dry needling of a latent myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle: Characteristics, sex differences and associated factors
Affiliations: [a] Department of Nursery and Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, CEU-San Pablo University, Madrid, Spain | [b] Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain | [c] Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Aitor Martín-Pintado Zugasti, Department of Physical Therapy, CEU-San Pablo University, Carretera Boadilla del Monte, Km 5,300, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28668 Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain. Tel.: +34 913724700; E-mail:martinpintado.a@gmail.com
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Postneedling soreness is considered the most frequent
secondary effect associated to dry needling. A detailed description of
postneedling soreness characteristics has not been previously reported. OBJECTIVE: (1) to assess the intensity and duration of postneedling
soreness and tenderness after deep dry needling of a trapezius latent
myofascial trigger point (MTrP), (2) to evaluate the possible differences in
postneedling soreness between sexes and (3) to analyze the influence on
postneedling soreness of factors involved in the dry needling process. METHODS: Sixty healthy subjects (30 men, 30 women) with latent
MTrPs in the upper trapezius muscle received a dry needling intervention in
the MTrP. Pain and pressure pain threshold (PPT) were assessed during a 72
hours follow-up period. RESULTS: Repeated measures analysis of covariance showed a
significant effect for time in pain and in PPT. An interaction between sex
and time in pain was obtained: women exhibited higher intensity in
postneedling pain than men. The pain during needling and the number of
needle insertions significantly correlated with postneedling soreness. CONCLUSIONS: Soreness and hyperalgesia are present in all subjects
after dry needling of a latent MTrP in the upper trapezius muscle. Women
exhibited higher intensity of postneedling soreness than men.
