How Dry Needling at the Neck Affects Shoulder Movement, Strength, Pain, and Shoulder Circulation

Launched by TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY · Nov 21, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of a treatment called dry needling on people with neck and shoulder pain. Dry needling is a technique where thin needles are inserted into specific muscle areas to relieve pain and improve movement. Researchers want to find out if this treatment can help increase blood flow in a muscle near the neck and improve shoulder movement and strength over time. They will also check if it reduces tenderness in certain muscles connected to the neck.

To be eligible for the trial, participants should be adults aged 18 to 65 who experience neck and shoulder pain with some tenderness in specific muscles. However, those with certain medical conditions, like severe arthritis, neurological disorders, or circulation problems, cannot participate. If you join the trial, you can expect to receive dry needling treatment and be monitored for improvements in pain, movement, and muscle strength throughout the study. This trial is currently looking for participants, and it's a great opportunity for those struggling with neck and shoulder discomfort to potentially find relief.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • adults 18-65 years of age
• • non-specific neck-shoulder pain (over the upper trapezius or the infraspinatus area) with an average pain ≥ 2/10 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (score range from 0-10, 0 = no pain, 10 = unbearable pain)
• • at least one tender point in one of the 5 muscles: cervical paraspinal near C5-C6 spinal segment, rhomboids, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and deltoid.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• Participants will be excluded from this study if they have a contraindication to dry needling or a medical condition affecting blood flow, including but not limited to:
• • Active systemic arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis)
• • Traumatic brain injury
• • Stroke Seizures/epilepsy
• • Neurological disease (e.g., multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson's, spinal cord compression)
• • Acute or History of Fracture of cervical spine
• • Acute or History of Fracture of the shoulder
• • Circulation/vascular problems (e.g., Raynaud's)
• • Cancer
• • Uncontrolled diabetes/high blood sugar
• • Currently pregnant
• • Previous neck surgery
• • Previous arthroscopic shoulder surgery in the last 5 years
• • Previous shoulder arthoplasty
• • Taking an anticoagulant (blood thinner)
• • Allergic to ultrasound gel