Advanced International Journal for Research

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Effect of Dry Needling Combined with Myofascial Release on Pain, Cervical Range of Motion, and Functional Disability in Individuals with Upper Trapezius Myofascial Trigger Points: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Author(s) Dr. Kartikeya Vahal (PT), Mr. Hitesh Kumar Rajak, Prof. Dr. Aditi Singh, Dr. Kapil Kumar Garg (PT)
Country India
Abstract Background
Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) affecting the upper trapezius muscle are among the most common causes of mechanical neck pain and cervical dysfunction. Sustained postural loading, repetitive occupational stress, prolonged screen exposure, and muscular imbalance frequently contribute to the development of active trigger points, resulting in pain, restricted cervical mobility, muscle tightness, and reduced functional capacity. Dry needling (DN) and myofascial release (MFR) are widely utilized physiotherapeutic interventions for the management of myofascial pain syndromes; however, evidence investigating their combined therapeutic efficacy remains limited.
Objective
To determine the effectiveness of combining dry needling with myofascial release in reducing pain intensity, improving cervical range of motion (ROM), and decreasing functional disability in individuals with upper trapezius myofascial trigger points.
Methods
A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 30 participants diagnosed with active upper trapezius myofascial trigger points. Participants aged between 18 and 40 years were randomly allocated into two groups: Group A received dry needling combined with myofascial release, whereas Group B received myofascial release alone. Both groups underwent treatment three sessions per week for two consecutive weeks. Outcome measures included the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity, cervical ROM assessment using a universal goniometer, and the Neck Disability Index (NDI) for functional disability. Statistical analysis was performed using paired and independent t-tests with the level of significance set at p < 0.05.
Results
Both intervention groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements in pain intensity, cervical ROM, and disability scores following treatment. However, participants receiving combined dry needling and myofascial release exhibited significantly greater improvements compared to the group receiving myofascial release alone. The experimental group demonstrated a greater reduction in VAS scores, superior gains in cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation, along with greater improvement in NDI scores.
Conclusion
The combination of dry needling and myofascial release was found to be more effective than myofascial release alone in reducing pain, improving cervical mobility, and decreasing neck-related disability in individuals with upper trapezius myofascial trigger points. The findings support the clinical integration of multimodal physiotherapy interventions in the management of mechanical neck pain associated with trigger points.
Keywords Dry needling; myofascial release; trigger points; neck pain; cervical range of motion; physiotherapy; upper trapezius
Field Medical / Pharmacy
Published In Volume 7, Issue 3, May-June 2026
Published On 2026-05-12
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E-ISSN 3048-7641
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