THE EFFECTS OF DRY NEEDLING ON MUSCLE BLOOD FLOW, SHOULDER MOTIONS, AND SENSITIVITY TO PRESSURE IN INDIVIDUALS WITH SHOULDER PAIN

Background: Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) contribute to impaired muscle blood flow (BF), shoulder motion, and pain. Although dry needling (DN) is an effective intervention for MTrPs, its effects on muscle BF and shoulder motions have not been investigated. This study examined DN's effects on infraspinatus muscle BF, shoulder rotation motions, and sensitivity to pressure stimuli in individuals with shoulder pain. Method: Forty individuals with shoulder pain and MTrPs in the infraspinatus were randomly assigned to receive real or sham DN. BF parameters, shoulder rotation motions, and pressure pain thresholds were measured before and after a single DN session. Results: The results showed that real DN improved BF and increased shoulder motions more than sham DN. Conclusion: Improved BF after DN suggests that DN has effects on enhancing BF via vasodilation, leading to relieving capillary compression. DN also may affect muscle relaxation, thus contributing to motion improvement. (Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Sharon Wang-Price) Supported by Texas Physical Therapy Foundation.