A Comparative Study of Dry Needling and Myofascial Release on Upper Trapezius in Patients with Mechanical Neck Pain
Keywords:
Dry needling, Myofascial release, Mechanical neck pain, Upper trapezius, Trigger pointsAbstract
Mechanical neck pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition affecting the global population with significant socioeconomic impact. This randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the effectiveness of dry needling (DN) and myofascial release (MFR) techniques on upper trapezius muscle in patients with mechanical neck pain. Sixty participants with mechanical neck pain and active trigger points in the upper trapezius were randomly allocated into two groups: DN group (n=30) and MFR group (n=30). Treatment was administered twice weekly for two weeks. Outcome measures included pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale), pressure pain threshold (algometer), cervical range of motion (CROM device), and neck disability (Neck Disability Index), assessed at baseline and after the 2-week intervention. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in all outcome measures (p<0.001). The DN group showed greater improvement in pain intensity (mean difference: 1.7 points, p<0.01) and pressure pain threshold (mean difference: 0.9 kg/cm², p<0.01) compared to the MFR group. However, improvements in cervical range of motion and neck disability were comparable between groups (p>0.05). Results suggest that while both interventions are effective for mechanical neck pain, DN may offer superior outcomes for pain parameters, whereas functional improvements are similar with both techniques. These findings provide valuable clinical guidance for physical therapists in selecting appropriate interventions for patients with mechanical neck pain and upper trapezius involvement.
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