COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DRY NEEDLING AND MYOFASCISAL RELEASE ON PAIN AND FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC NECK PAIN
Main Article Content
Keywords
Dry needling, Myofascial release, Chronic neck pain, Trigger points, Physiotherapy, Cervical ROM, Neck Disability Index
Abstract
Chronic neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems, often limiting day to-day activities and affecting quality of life. Physiotherapists frequently use techniques such as dry needling (DN) and myofascial release (MFR), both of which have been reported to provide benefits. The present study set out to compare the effectiveness of DN and MFR, each combined with a conventional physiotherapy program, in individuals with chronic neck pain.
Methodology: This randomized controlled trial included 60 participants aged 25–40 years with chronic neck pain and active or latent myofascial trigger points. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups. Group 1 underwent DN together with a conventional protocol (CP), while Group 2 received MFR + CP. Interventions were delivered for four weeks, totaling 8–12 sessions. The main outcomes were pain intensity measured by the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), functional disability through the Neck Disability Index (NDI), cervical range of motion (ROM), and quality of life assessed with the SF-36. Pre- and post-intervention values were analyzed both within and between groups.
Results: Improvements were observed in both groups across all measured outcomes. The DN group, however, showed comparatively greater benefits, with a mean pain reduction of 4.2 points on the NRS, while the MFR group achieved a 2.8-point decrease. Larger gains in cervical ROM and SF-36 domains were also recorded in the DN group. No serious adverse events were noted during the study.
Conclusion: Dry needling, when used alongside conventional physiotherapy, appears to be more effective than myofascial release in decreasing pain and disability and in improving function among patients with chronic neck pain. It may therefore be considered a valuable option for physiotherapists aiming for faster and more comprehensive outcomes.
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2. Cerezo-Téllez, E., Torres-Lacomba, M., Moral, M., Sánchez-Sánchez, B., Dommerholt, J., & Gutiérrez-Ortega, C. (2016). Prevalence of Myofascial Pain Syndrome in Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study. Pain Medicine, 17(12), 2366–2377. https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnw114
3. Wu, A., et al. (2024). Global, regional, and national burden of neck pain, 1990–2020, and projections to 2050: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The Lancet Rheumatology, 6(2), e123–e134. https://doi.org/10.1016/S26659913(23)00321-1
4. Safiri, S., et al. (2020). Global, regional, and national burden of neck pain in the general population, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. BMJ, 368, m791. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m791
5. Huerta, M., Salazar, A., & Moral-Muñoz, J. (2025). Trends in chronic neck and low back pain prevalence in Spain (2006–2020): differences by sex, age, and social class. European Spine Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-025-08676-5
6. Noormohammadpour, P., et al. (2017). Prevalence of Chronic Neck Pain, Low Back Pain, and Knee Pain and Their Related Factors in Community-Dwelling Adults in Iran: A Population-Based National Study. The Clinical Journal of Pain, 33(1), 75–81. https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.00 00000000000396
7. Hey, H., Lim, J., Ong, J., & Luo, N. (2021). Epidemiology of Neck Pain and Its Impact on Quality-of-Life—A Population-Based, Cross Sectional Study in Singapore. Spine, 46(1), E46–E54. https://doi.org/10.1097/BRS.0000000000004071
8. Palacios-Ceña, D., et al. (2020). Female Gender Is Associated with a Higher Prevalence of Chronic Neck Pain, Chronic Low Back Pain, and Migraine: Results of the Spanish National Health Survey, 2017. Pain Medicine, 21(7), 1309–1317. https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnaa368
9. Rajkumar, R. (2023). The influence of cultural and religious factors on cross-national variations in the prevalence of chronic back and neck pain: an analysis of data from the global burden of disease 2019 study. Frontiers in Pain Research, 4, 1189432. https://doi.org/10.3389/ fpain.2023.1189432
10. Candeniz, Ş. (2022). Effects of pain localization and duration on disability and quality of life among individuals with neck pain. Turkish Journal of Health Science and Life. https://doi.org/10.56150/tjhsl.1102134
11. Ris, I., Barbero, M., Falla, D., Larsen, M., Kraft, M., Søgaard, K., & Juul-Kristensen, B. (2019). Pain extent is more strongly associated with disability, psychological factors, and neck muscle function in people with non-traumatic versus traumatic chronic neck pain: a cross-sectional study. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 55(1). https://doi.org/10.23736/ S1973-9087.18.04977-8
12. Fredin, K., & Lorås, H. (2017). Manual therapy, exercise therapy or combined treatment in the management of adult neck pain - A systematic review and metaanalysis. Musculoskeletal Science & Practice, 31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2017.07.005
13. Gueddari, S., Amine, B., Elbinoune, I., Shyen, S., & Hajjaj-Hassouni, N. (2014). Functional disability and quality of life in patients with neck pain. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 73. https://doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.5699
14. Maciel, N., De Vitta, A., Genebra, C., Bento, T., & Simeão, S. (2020). Neck pain in adults: impact on quality of life. Saúde e Pesquisa, 13. https://doi.org/10.17765/21769206.2020v13n4p841-849
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Nov 14, 2025
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Harsh Kumar Garg, Dr. Huma Zahoor Ahmed Siddiqui, & Dr. Monika Sharma. (2025). COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DRY NEEDLING AND MYOFASCISAL RELEASE ON PAIN AND FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC NECK PAIN. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology, 32(10), 719-733. https://doi.org/10.53555/x79pd961
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Author Biographies
Harsh Kumar Garg
MPT, Department of Physiotherapy, Institute of Applied Medicines & Research (IAMR).
Dr. Huma Zahoor Ahmed Siddiqui
Associate professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Institute of Applied Medicines & Research (IAMR), Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
Dr. Monika Sharma
Professor and Head of Physiotherapy Department, Institute of Applied Medicines & Research (IAMR), Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
How to Cite
Harsh Kumar Garg, Dr. Huma Zahoor Ahmed Siddiqui, & Dr. Monika Sharma. (2025). COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DRY NEEDLING AND MYOFASCISAL RELEASE ON PAIN AND FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC NECK PAIN. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology, 32(10), 719-733. https://doi.org/10.53555/x79pd961