EFFECTIVENESS OF DRY NEEDLING ON THE LUMBAR PARASPINAL MUSCLE IN PATIENTS WITH MECHANICAL BACK PAIN: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of dry needling and sustained pressure in the lumbar paraspinal trigger points in terms of pain threshold and muscle length. Methodology: 50 patients were randomly allocated in experimental and control group having lumbar paraspinal muscle trigger points. Experimental and control groups received dry needling and sustained pressure along with stretching and strengthening exercises. Patients were assessed at 1st pre and 4th post session using Oswestry disability index, paraspinal muscle length, visual analogue scale and pain pressure threshold using algometer. Results: Pain pressure threshold and visual analogue scale showed significant results whereas Oswestry disability index and paraspinal muscle length showed no significant results (P>0.01). Analysis within the group showed significant difference from pre to post intervention level (P<0.01) in terms of pain pressure threshold, paraspinal muscle length, Oswestry disability index and visual analogue scale in experimental and control group. Conclusion: Pain was improved using dry needling. However, no significant improvement was seen in patient’s disability and lumbar paraspinal muscle length. Key words: Dry needling, Oswestry disability index, Paraspinal muscle, Trigger points, Visual analogue scale.