Dry needling versus manual therapy in chronic neck pain
Dry needling and manual therapy are equally effective at treating pain and loss of neck range of motion that result in disability. Dry needling appears to improve sensitivity to touch better than manual therapy alone.
Between 50-80% of the population will experience neck pain at some point in their life. Of those that do experience neck pain, many will develop chronic symptoms. Both dry needling and manual therapy have been successful in resolving pain and improving function. This includes resolution of trigger points, or “muscle knots” that are hypersensitive to touch. However, superiority of one intervention over the other has not been demonstrated in the literature.
This article includes 94 participants, split into two groups, either receiving dry needling or manual therapy. Measurements included pain, disability, pressure pain threshold and cervical range of motion. Participants were measured before, immediately after, 1 week and 2 weeks after treatment.
The study demonstrated that while both groups experienced significant reductions in neck pain and improvements in range of motion, the dry needling group had a much greater improvement in sensitivity to touch. Neither group demonstrated any significant side effects.
Conclusion: Physical therapist can provide safe and effective treatment that includes dry needling and manual therapy for the resolution of neck pain, neck range of motion and disability.