Efficacy of Dry Needling in Dentists with Non-Specific Shoulder Pain

Abstract

Background:A large number of studies suggests that dentists are more susceptible to musculoskeletal disorders and associated pain in upperlimb than the general population.A different explanationfor the pathophysiological mechanisms causing shoulder pain maybe contributed by myofascial trigger points. The goal of dry needling, which entails repeatedly inserting needles, is to mechanically disrupt the trigger site, which has accumulated a large number of hypersensitive nociceptors after eliciting a local twitch response.

Aims and Objectives:- The study's goals were to assess the effectiveness of dry needling for dentists with generalized shoulder pain as well as the impact of dry needling combined with therapy activities on functional improvement in dentists with generalized shoulder pain.

Methods: The participants were assessed for the outcome measures using NPRS for Pain and Constant-Murley score for Functional activities. The treatment period was for 2 weeks with 3 sessions of dry needling and therapeutic exercises daily for Group A and therapeutic exercises for Group B. participants were again assessed post 2-week protocol.

Results: In the group receiving dry needling plus therapeutic exercise, the patient reported an immediate pain decrease, an increase in range of motion, and functional improvement.

Conclusion:This study showed that how dry needling along with therapeutic exercise is beneficial in treating non- specific shoulder pain in dentists who use their upper limb at work for prolonged period of time.