Analysing the Benefits: Dry Needling & Chiropractic Therapy for Pain Management
- Julian Simpson
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Analysing the Benefits: Dry Needling & Chiropractic Therapy for Pain Management
Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent musculoskeletal ailment that impacts individuals across the globe, with studies indicating that approximately 4 in 5 people will experience low back pain at least once during their lifetime. This condition can range from mild discomfort to debilitating pain, significantly affecting the quality of life, work productivity, and overall well-being of those who suffer from it.
The causes of LBP are diverse, including factors such as poor posture, muscle strain, injury, and degenerative changes in the spine, among others.
Interestingly, the majority of individuals diagnosed with low back pain—about 85% to 90%—do not have any identifiable underlying pathology. These patients are classified as having nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP), which means that their pain cannot be attributed to a specific structural problem or disease.
This classification highlights the complexity of LBP, as it often involves multifactorial elements, including psychological, social, and physical factors that contribute to the persistence of pain. Understanding that most cases of LBP are nonspecific can help guide treatment approaches, focusing on symptom management and functional improvement rather than solely on identifying a specific cause.
The most common type of conventional treatment for patients suffering from low back pain is physical therapy, which encompasses a variety of techniques aimed at alleviating pain and restoring function.
Among the most prevalent therapeutic approaches are lumbar spinal manipulation exercises, which involve hands-on techniques to improve spinal alignment and mobility. Additionally, soft tissue manual therapy is utilised to relieve muscle tension and enhance circulation in the affected areas.
Exercise therapy, tailored to the individual's specific needs and capabilities, plays a crucial role in strengthening the muscles supporting the spine and improving overall physical fitness. Other therapeutic modalities may include heat and cold therapy, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound treatment.
In recent years, dry needling has emerged as a contemporary treatment option that involves the use of fine, stainless steel filiform needles to relieve pain in muscle tissue. This technique targets trigger points—hyperirritable spots in muscles that can refer pain to other areas of the body—by inserting needles into these points to promote relaxation and reduce pain. The mechanism of action is thought to involve the release of muscle tension, improved blood flow, and the activation of the body’s natural healing processes, making it a valuable addition to traditional treatment modalities.
Research has sought to investigate the efficacy of dry needling when combined with chiropractic care, comparing it to the effectiveness of chiropractic care alone. This inquiry is particularly relevant given the rising interest in integrative approaches to pain management.
Patients participating in the study were asked to evaluate their pain and functional status after an 8-week treatment period, with follow-up assessments conducted at the 6-month mark to gauge the long-term benefits of the interventions.
The findings indicated that dry needling is indeed more effective when used in conjunction with chiropractic care, enhancing the overall treatment outcomes for patients with low back pain. However, it is also important to note that dry needling can be beneficial on its own, providing a viable option for those who may not have access to chiropractic services or prefer a standalone treatment. This dual efficacy underscores the versatility of dry needling as a therapeutic technique.
Therefore, the next time you attend your therapy session for low back pain, consider discussing the possibility of incorporating dry needling into your treatment plan with your chiropractor. This additional modality may offer you enhanced relief from pain and contribute to your overall recovery process, potentially leading to a better quality of life and improved functional abilities.
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Reference
Khan K, Ahmad A, Mohseni Bandpei MA, Kashif M. Comparison of the effects of dry needling and spinal manipulative therapy versus spinal manipulative therapy alone on functional disability and endurance in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain: An experimental study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Sep 20;103(38):e39734. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000039734. PMID: 39312369; PMCID: PMC11419425.
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