Luis Baraja-Vegas1,2, Saúl Martín-Rodríguez3,4, Francisco Piqueras-Sanchiz5, José Faundez-Aguilera6, Iker J Bautista7, Carlos Barrios8, Maria Garcia-Escudero9, César Fernández-de-Las-Peñas10. 1. Department of Physiotherapy, Catholic University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. 2. Doctoral School of the Catholic University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. 3. Department of Physical Education, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017, Spain. 4. Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, 35016, Spain. 5. Sport Plus Center, Sevilla, Spain. 6. Departament of Imaging, Centro Médico Vida Integra Nuñoa, Santiago, Chile. 7. FisioSalud Elite, Health, Training & Innovation, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. 8. Institute for Research on Musculoskeletal Disorders, Catholic University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. 9. School of Physiotherapy and Podiatry, Universidad Católica de Valencia, San Vicente Mártir, Valencia, Spain. 10. Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Myofascial trigger points (TrPs) are hyperirritable spots within taut bands of skeletal muscles that elicit local and referred pain when stimulated. Among the variety of techniques used for treating TrPs, dry needling (DN) is the most commonly applied intervention. The physiological mechanisms underlying the effects of DN remain to be elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in skeletal muscle after DN in the area where the TrP is located. METHODS: We measured in vivo changes that occur in human skeletal muscle one hour after DN over a TrP with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and tensiomyography. The study included 18 asymptomatic subjects with a latent TrP in one medial gastrocnemius muscle, and the contralateral leg was used as control. RESULTS: The results showed that MRI signal intensity significantly increased one hour after the DN intervention, suggesting the presence of intramuscular edema. Tensiomyographic parameters showed higher muscle stiffness with an improvement in contraction time after DN. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study showing intramuscular edema after TrP DN in human skeletal muscle. Future research should focus on using DN therapy in patients with active TrPs and on monitoring changes occurring at longer follow-up with imaging techniques.
BACKGROUND: Myofascial trigger points (TrPs) are hyperirritable spots within taut bands of skeletal muscles that elicit local and referred pain when stimulated. Among the variety of techniques used for treating TrPs, dry needling (DN) is the most commonly applied intervention. The physiological mechanisms underlying the effects of DN remain to be elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in skeletal muscle after DN in the area where the TrP is located. METHODS: We measured in vivo changes that occur in human skeletal muscle one hour after DN over a TrP with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and tensiomyography. The study included 18 asymptomatic subjects with a latent TrP in one medial gastrocnemius muscle, and the contralateral leg was used as control. RESULTS: The results showed that MRI signal intensity significantly increased one hour after the DN intervention, suggesting the presence of intramuscular edema. Tensiomyographic parameters showed higher muscle stiffness with an improvement in contraction time after DN. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study showing intramuscular edema after TrP DN in human skeletal muscle. Future research should focus on using DN therapy in patients with active TrPs and on monitoring changes occurring at longer follow-up with imaging techniques.
Authors: María Benito-de-Pedro; César Calvo-Lobo; Daniel López-López; Ana Isabel Benito-de-Pedro; Carlos Romero-Morales; Marta San-Antolín; Davinia Vicente-Campos; David Rodríguez-Sanz Journal: Sensors (Basel) Date: 2021-04-21 Impact factor: 3.576
Authors: Eleuterio A Sánchez Romero; Tifanny Lim; Jorge Hugo Villafañe; Gurvan Boutin; Victor Riquelme Aguado; Aitor Martin Pintado-Zugasti; José Luis Alonso Pérez; Josué Fernández Carnero Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-04-15 Impact factor: 3.390