FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Clinical Effectiveness of Dry Needling on Myofascial Trigger...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2025; 15(15); 2207; doi: 10.3390/ani15152207

Clinical Effectiveness of Dry Needling on Myofascial Trigger Points in Horses: A Prospective Algometric Controlled Study.

Abstract: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is caused by trigger points (TrPs): hypersensitive spots in taut muscle bands that impair function and cause pain. Dry needling (DN) is a common treatment in humans, but evidence in horses is limited. This prospective, controlled study evaluated the effectiveness of DN in reducing TrP-related pain in the brachiocephalic muscle of horses. Of the 98 horses enrolled, 66 were allocated to a treatment group receiving weekly DN sessions for three weeks, while 32 were assigned to a control group with no intervention. Pain and function were assessed using pressure algometry, a numerical rating scale (NRS), a functional total test score (FTTS), and behavioral indicators including jump sign (JS), equine pain face (EPF), and local twitch responses (LTRs). Assessments were performed at baseline and at 0, 4, 24, and 72 h post-intervention. Results indicate a significant increase in pressure pain thresholds ( < 0.001), especially after the second and third sessions. Both NRS and FTTS improved significantly over time ( < 0.001), and LTRs progressively decreased. EPF and JS showed minimal variation. These results support the use of DN to reduce local muscle pain and improve function in horses with TrPs. Further robust studies are warranted to refine protocols and investigate long-term effects.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2025-07-27 PubMed ID: 40804997PubMed Central: PMC12345582DOI: 10.3390/ani15152207Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study explores the effectiveness of dry needling in alleviating pain from trigger points in horses. It demonstrated successful results in increasing pain thresholds and improving overall function over time.

Defining the Problem

  • Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a condition characterized by pain and decreased function caused by trigger points (TrPs), which are hypersensitive spots found within rigid bands of muscles.
  • Treatment for MPS in horses is not fully researched; the intervention of dry needling (DN), widely used in humans, has limited evidence of its efficacy for horses.

Study Design and Procedures

  • The authors conducted a controlled, prospective study to assess the impact of DN on alleviating pain from TrPs in the brachiocephalic muscle of horses.
  • A total of 98 horses participated in the study. Sixty-six horses were assigned to the treatment group that received weekly DN treatment for three weeks, while 32 got no intervention.
  • Pain and function were evaluated through various tools: pressure algometry, a numerical rating scale (NRS), a functional total test score (FTTS), and behavioral indicators such as jump sign (JS), equine pain face (EPF), and local twitch responses (LTRs).
  • These assessments were carried out at baseline and at 0, 4, 24, and 72 hours after treatment.

Key Findings of the Study

  • Results showed significant improvement in pressure pain thresholds, particularly after the second and third DN sessions.
  • Numerical rating scale (NRS) and functional total test score (FTTS) reported noticeable improvements over time.
  • The horses’ local twitch responses (LTRs) decreased progressively with each treatment session.
  • However, the jump sign (JS) and equine pain face (EPF) showed little changes.

Implications of the Research

  • The findings suggest that dry needling is an effective intervention to reduce muscular pain and improve function in horses suffering from trigger points.
  • This study advises a need for further robust research to optimize treatment protocols and explore long-term effects of dry needling in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Calatayud-Bonilla M, Carmona JU, Prades M. (2025). Clinical Effectiveness of Dry Needling on Myofascial Trigger Points in Horses: A Prospective Algometric Controlled Study. Animals (Basel), 15(15), 2207. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15152207

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 15
PII: 2207

Researcher Affiliations

Calatayud-Bonilla, Maria
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
Carmona, Jorge U
  • Grupo de Investigación Terapia Regenerativa, Departmento de Salud Animal, Universidad de Caldas, 170004 Manizales, Colombia.
Prades, Marta
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Barcelona, Spain.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

This article includes 79 references
  1. Dommerholt J, Bron C, Franssen J. Myofascial trigger points: An evidence-informed review.. J. Man. Manip. Ther. 2006;14:203–221.
    doi: 10.1179/106698106790819991google scholar: lookup
  2. Simons D.G. Revisión de los enigmáticos puntos gatillo miofasciales como causa habitual de dolor y disfunción musculoesqueléticos enigmáticos.. Fisioterapia 2005;27:103–120.
    doi: 10.1016/S0211-5638(05)73423-4google scholar: lookup
  3. Solís J.C. Síndrome de dolor miofascial, diagnóstico y tratamiento.. Rev. Med. Costa Rica Cent. Am. 2014;71:683–689.
  4. Simons D.G. Diagnostic criteria of myofascial pain caused by trigger points.. J. Musculoskelet. Pain. 1999;7:111–120.
    doi: 10.1300/J094v07n01_11google scholar: lookup
  5. Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Dommerholt J. International consensus on diagnostic criteria and clinical considerations of myofascial trigger points: A Delphi study.. Pain Med. 2018;19:142–150.
    doi: 10.1093/pm/pnx207pubmed: 29025044google scholar: lookup
  6. Cummings M, Baldry P. Regional myofascial pain: Diagnosis and management.. Best Pract. Res. Clin. Rheumatol. 2007;21:367–387.
    doi: 10.1016/j.berh.2006.12.006pubmed: 17512488google scholar: lookup
  7. Dommerholt J. Dry needling—Peripheral and central considerations.. J. Man. Manip. Ther. 2011;19:223–227.
    doi: 10.1179/106698111X13129729552065pmc: PMC3201653pubmed: 23115475google scholar: lookup
  8. Srbely J.Z, Dickey J.P, Lee D, Lowerison M. Dry needle stimulation of myofascial trigger points evokes segmental anti-nociceptive effects.. J. Rehabil. Med. 2010;42:463–468.
    doi: 10.2340/16501977-0535pubmed: 20544158google scholar: lookup
  9. Lluch E, Nijs J, De Kooning M, Van Dyck D, Vanderstraeten R, Struyf F, Roussel N.A. Prevalence, incidence, localization, and pathophysiology of myofascial trigger points in patients with spinal pain: A systematic literature review.. J. Manip. Physiol. Ther. 2015;38:587–600.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2015.08.004pubmed: 26387860google scholar: lookup
  10. Bowen A.G, Goff L.M, McGowan C.M. Investigation of myofascial trigger points in equine pectoral muscles and girth-aversion behavior.. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2017;48:154–160.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2016.04.095google scholar: lookup
  11. Macgregor J, von Schweinitz D.G. Needle electromyographic activity of myofascial trigger points and control sites in equine cleido-brachialis muscle—An observational study.. Acupunct. Med. 2014;24:61–70.
    doi: 10.1136/aim.24.2.61pubmed: 16783281google scholar: lookup
  12. Formenton M.R, Portier K, Gaspar B.R, Gauthier L, Yeng L.T, Fantoni D.T. Location of trigger points in a group of police working dogs: A preliminary study.. Animals 2023;13:2836.
    doi: 10.3390/ani13182836pmc: PMC10526025pubmed: 37760236google scholar: lookup
  13. Portier K, Schiesari C, Gauthier L, Yeng L.T, Tabacchi Fantoni D, Formenton M.R. Comparison of the prevalence and location of trigger points in dressage and show-jumping horses.. Animals 2025;15:1558.
    doi: 10.3390/ani15111558pmc: PMC12153837pubmed: 40509024google scholar: lookup
  14. Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Nijs J. Trigger point dry needling for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome: Current perspectives within a pain neuroscience paradigm.. J. Pain Res. 2019;12:1899–1911.
    doi: 10.2147/JPR.S154728pmc: PMC6590623pubmed: 31354339google scholar: lookup
  15. Gerwin R.D, Dommerholt J, Shah J.P. An expansion of Simons’ integrated hypothesis of trigger point formation.. Curr. Pain Headache Rep. 2004;8:468–475.
    doi: 10.1007/s11916-004-0069-xpubmed: 15509461google scholar: lookup
  16. Gerwin R.D. A new unified theory of trigger point formation: Failure of pre- and post-synaptic feedback control mechanisms.. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023;24:8142.
    doi: 10.3390/ijms24098142pmc: PMC10179372pubmed: 37175845google scholar: lookup
  17. Gerwin R.D. The taut band and other mysteries of the trigger point: An examination of the mechanisms relevant to the development and maintenance of the trigger point.. J. Musculoskelet. Pain. 2008;16:115–121.
    doi: 10.1080/10582450801960081google scholar: lookup
  18. Liu Q.G, Huang Q.M, Liu L, Nguyen T.T. Structural and functional abnormalities of motor endplates in rat skeletal model of myofascial trigger spots.. Neurosci. Lett. 2019;711:134417.
    doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.134417pubmed: 31398457google scholar: lookup
  19. Ge H.Y, Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Yue S.W. Myofascial trigger points: Spontaneous electrical activity and its consequences for pain induction and propagation.. Chin. Med. 2011;6:13.
    doi: 10.1186/1749-8546-6-13pmc: PMC3070691pubmed: 21439050google scholar: lookup
  20. Hsieh Y.L, Chou L.W, Joe Y.S, Hong C.Z. Spinal cord mechanism involving the remote effects of dry needling on the irritability of myofascial trigger spots in rabbit skeletal muscle.. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2011;92:1098–1105.
    doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2010.11.018pubmed: 21529778google scholar: lookup
  21. Story M.R, Haussler K.K, Nout-Lomas Y.S, Aboellail T.A, Kawcak C.E, Barrett M.F, Frisbie D.D, McIlwraith C.W. Equine cervical pain and dysfunction: Pathology, diagnosis and treatment.. Animals 2021;11:422.
    doi: 10.3390/ani11020422pmc: PMC7915466pubmed: 33562089google scholar: lookup
  22. Sciotti V.M, Mittak V.L, DiMarco L, Ford L.M, Plezbert J, Santipadri E, Wigglesworth J, Ball K. Clinical precision of myofascial trigger point location in the trapezius muscle.. Pain 2001;93:259–266.
    doi: 10.1016/S0304-3959(01)00325-6pubmed: 11514085google scholar: lookup
  23. Mora-Relucio R, Núñez-Nagy S, Gallego-Izquierdo T, Rus A, Plaza-Manzano G, Romero-Franco N, Ferragut-Garcías A, Pecos-Martín D, Fioravanti A. Experienced versus inexperienced interexaminer reliability on location and classification of myofascial trigger point palpation to diagnose lateral epicondylalgia: An observational cross-sectional study.. Evid. Based Complement. Altern. Med. 2016;2016:6059719.
    doi: 10.1155/2016/6059719pmc: PMC4736912pubmed: 26881005google scholar: lookup
  24. De Heus P, Van Oossanen G, Van Dierendonck M.C, Back W. A pressure algometer is a useful tool to objectively monitor the effect of diagnostic palpation by a physiotherapist in warmblood horses.. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2010;30:310–321.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2010.04.010google scholar: lookup
  25. Barbero M, Bertoli P, Cescon C, Macmillan F, Coutts F, Gatti R. Intra-rater reliability of an experienced physiotherapist in locating myofascial trigger points in upper trapezius muscle.. J. Man. Manip. Ther. 2012;20:171–177.
    doi: 10.1179/2042618612Y.0000000010pmc: PMC3500129pubmed: 24179324google scholar: lookup
  26. Valiente-Castrillo P, Martín-Pintado-Zugasti A, Calvo-Lobo C, Beltran-Alacreu H, Fernández-Carnero J. Effects of pain neuroscience education and dry needling for the management of patients with chronic myofascial neck pain: A randomized clinical trial.. Acupunct. Med. 2021;39:91–105.
    doi: 10.1177/0964528420920300pubmed: 32370545google scholar: lookup
  27. Ridgway K. Acupuncture as a treatment modality for back problems.. Vet. Clin. N. Am. Equine Pract. 1999;15:143–154.
    doi: 10.1016/S0749-0739(17)30173-6pubmed: 10218251google scholar: lookup
  28. Resano-Zuazu M, Carmona J.U, Argüelles D. Short-term impact of dry needling treatment for myofascial pain on equine biomechanics through artificial intelligence-based gait analysis.. Animals 2025;15:1517.
    doi: 10.3390/ani15111517pmc: PMC12153734pubmed: 40508982google scholar: lookup
  29. Taylor P.M, Pascoe P.J, Mama K.R. Diagnosing and treating pain in the horse: Where are we today?. Vet. Clin. N. Am. Equine Pract. 2002;18:1–19.
    doi: 10.1016/S0749-0739(02)00009-3pubmed: 12064173google scholar: lookup
  30. Zimmerman M. Physiological mechanisms of pain and its treatment.. Klin. Anaesthesiol. Intensivther. 1986;32:1–19.
  31. Gleerup K.B, Forkman B, Lindegaard C, Andersen P.H. An equine pain face.. Vet. Anaesth. Analg. 2015;42:103–114.
    doi: 10.1111/vaa.12212pmc: PMC4312484pubmed: 25082060google scholar: lookup
  32. Ashley F.H, Waterman-Pearson A.E, Whay H.R. Behavioural assessment of pain in horses and donkeys: Application to clinical practice and future studies.. Equine Vet. J. 2005;37:565–575.
    doi: 10.2746/042516405775314826pubmed: 16295937google scholar: lookup
  33. Dalla Costa E, Minero M, Lebelt D, Stucke D, Canali E, Leach M.C. Development of the Horse Grimace Scale (HGS) as a pain assessment tool in horses undergoing routine castration.. PLoS ONE 2014;9:e92281.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092281pmc: PMC3960217pubmed: 24647606google scholar: lookup
  34. Dyson S, Berger J.M, Ellis A.D, Mullard J. Can the presence of musculoskeletal pain be determined from the facial expressions of ridden horses (FEReq)?. J. Vet. Behav. 2017;19:78–89.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2017.03.005google scholar: lookup
  35. De Grauw J.C, Van Loon J.P.A.M. Systematic pain assessment in horses.. Vet. J. 2016;209:14–22.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.07.030pubmed: 26831169google scholar: lookup
  36. Van Loon J.P.A.M, Van Dierendonck M.C. Objective pain assessment in horses (2014–2018). Vet. J. 2018;242:1–7.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2018.10.001pubmed: 30503538google scholar: lookup
  37. Merrifield-Jones M, Tabor G, Williams J. Inter- and intra-rater reliability of soft tissue palpation scoring in the equine thoracic epaxial region.. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2019;83:102812.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.102812pubmed: 31791525google scholar: lookup
  38. Tabor G, Williams J. The use of outcome measures in equine rehabilitation.. Vet. Nurse. 2018;9:497–500.
    doi: 10.12968/vetn.2018.9.9.497google scholar: lookup
  39. Lucena-Antón D, Luque-Moreno C, Valencia-Medero J, Garcia-Muñoz C, Moral-Muñoz J.A. Effectiveness of dry needling of myofascial trigger points in the triceps surae muscles: Systematic review.. Healthcare 2022;10:1862.
    doi: 10.3390/healthcare10101862pmc: PMC9602116pubmed: 36292308google scholar: lookup
  40. Baraja-Vegas L, Martín-Rodríguez S, Piqueras-Sanchiz F, Martín-Ruiz J, Yeste Fabregat M, Florencio L.L, Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C. Electromyographic activity evolution of local twitch responses during dry needling of latent trigger points in the gastrocnemius muscle: A cross-sectional study.. Pain Med. 2020;21:1224–1229.
    doi: 10.1093/pm/pnz182pubmed: 31361323google scholar: lookup
  41. Nemery B, Gabriel A, Cassart D, Bayrou C, Piret J, Antoine N, Nilsson M, Steinwall L, Jacobson I, Martins A. Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy, Uppsala, Sweden, 2016.. Acta Vet. Scand. 2016;58((Suppl. S2)):95–121.
    doi: 10.1186/s13028-016-0259-7google scholar: lookup
  42. Calatayud-Bonilla M, Resano-Zuazu M, Prades M. Painful response to trigger points palpation in the equine brachiocephalicus muscle: A preliminary study; Proceedings of the 30 Jornadas de Fisioterapia de la ONCE: Síndrome de Dolor Miofascial y Puntos Gatillo Miofasciales: 20 Años de Evolución; Madrid, Spain. 6–7 March 2020.. .
  43. Haussler K.K. Pressure algometry for the detection of mechanical nociceptive thresholds in horses.. Animals 2020;10:2195.
    doi: 10.3390/ani10122195pmc: PMC7760268pubmed: 33255216google scholar: lookup
  44. Calatayud-Bonilla M, Resano-Zuazu M, Segura-Ortí E. Pain pressure thresholds for evaluating myofascial pain in the equine brachiocephalicus muscle.. Rev. Fisioter. Invasiva. 2019;2:114.
  45. Sullivan K.A, Hill A.E, Haussler K.K. The effects of chiropractic, massage and phenylbutazone on spinal mechanical nociceptive thresholds in horses without clinical signs.. Equine Vet. J. 2008;40:14–20.
    doi: 10.2746/042516407X240456pubmed: 18083655google scholar: lookup
  46. King M.R, Pavsek H, Ellis K.L, Daglish J. Effects of elastic therapeutic tape on thoracolumbar epaxial muscle pain in horses.. J. Equine Rehabil. 2024;2:100007.
    doi: 10.1016/j.eqre.2024.100007google scholar: lookup
  47. Hong C.Z, Torigoe Y. Electrophysiological characteristics of localized twitch responses in responsive taut bands of rabbit skeletal muscle fibers.. J. Musculoskelet. Pain. 1994;2:17–43.
    doi: 10.1300/J094v02n02_03google scholar: lookup
  48. Martín-Pintado-Zugasti A, Fernández-Carnero J, León-Hernández J.V, Calvo-Lobo C, Beltran-Alacreu H, Alguacil-Diego I, Gallego-Izquierdo T, Pecos-Martin D. Postneedling soreness and tenderness after different dosages of dry needling of an active myofascial trigger point in patients with neck pain: A randomized controlled trial.. PM&R 2018;10:1311–1320.
    doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2018.05.015pubmed: 29857165google scholar: lookup
  49. Hsieh Y.L, Yang S.A, Yang C.C, Chou L.W. Dry needling at myofascial trigger spots of rabbit skeletal muscles modulates the biochemicals associated with pain, inflammation, and hypoxia.. Evid. Based Complement. Altern. Med. 2012;2012:705427.
    doi: 10.1155/2012/342165pmc: PMC3544533pubmed: 23346198google scholar: lookup
  50. Arias-Buría J.L, Monroy-Acevedo Á, Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Gallego-Sendarrubias G.M, Ortega-Santiago R, Plaza-Manzano G. Effects of dry needling of active trigger points in the scalene muscles in individuals with mechanical neck pain: A randomized clinical trial.. Acupunct. Med. 2020;38:380–387.
    doi: 10.1177/0964528420912254pubmed: 32228029google scholar: lookup
  51. Tough E.A, White A.R. Effectiveness of acupuncture/dry needling for myofascial trigger point pain.. Phys. Ther. Rev. 2011;16:147–154.
    doi: 10.1179/1743288X11Y.0000000007google scholar: lookup
  52. Kietrys D.M, Palombaro K.M, Azzaretto E, Hubler R, Schaller B, Schlussel J.M, Tucker M. Effectiveness of dry needling for upper-quarter myofascial pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis.. J. Orthop. Sports Phys. Ther. 2013;43:620–634.
    doi: 10.2519/jospt.2013.4668pubmed: 23756457google scholar: lookup
  53. Liu L, Huang Q.M, Liu Q.G, Ye G, Bo C.Z, Chen M.J, Li P. Effectiveness of dry needling for myofascial trigger points associated with neck and shoulder pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis.. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2015;96:944–955.
    doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2014.12.015pubmed: 25576642google scholar: lookup
  54. Gattie E, Cleland J.A, Snodgrass S. The effectiveness of trigger point dry needling for musculoskeletal conditions by physical therapists: A systematic review and meta-analysis.. J. Orthop. Sports Phys. Ther. 2017;47:133–149.
    doi: 10.2519/jospt.2017.7096pubmed: 28158962google scholar: lookup
  55. Navarro-Santana M.J, Sanchez-Infante J, Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Cleland J.A, Martín-Casas P, Plaza-Manzano G. Effectiveness of dry needling for myofascial trigger points associated with neck pain symptoms: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.. J. Clin. Med. 2020;9:3300.
    doi: 10.3390/jcm9103300pmc: PMC7602246pubmed: 33066556google scholar: lookup
  56. Sánchez-Infante J, Navarro-Santana M.J, Bravo-Sanchez A, Jimenez-Diaz F, Abian-Vicen J. Is dry needling applied by physical therapists effective for pain in musculoskeletal conditions? A systematic review and meta-analysis.. Phys. Ther. 2021;101:pzab070.
    doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzab070pubmed: 33609356google scholar: lookup
  57. Llamas-Ramos R, Pecos-Martín D, Gallego-Izquierdo T, Llamas-Ramos I, Plaza-Manzano G, Ortega-Santiago R, Cleland J, Fernández-De-Las-Peñas C. Comparison of the short-term outcomes between trigger point dry needling and trigger point manual therapy for the management of chronic mechanical neck pain: A randomized clinical trial.. J. Orthop. Sports Phys. Ther. 2014;44:852–861.
    doi: 10.2519/jospt.2014.5229pubmed: 25269764google scholar: lookup
  58. American Association of Equine Practitioners, Bramlage L.R. Proceedings of the 49th Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, New Orleans, Louisiana, November 21–25, 2003.. American Association of Equine Practitioners 2003.
  59. Haussler K.K, Erb H.N. Mechanical nociceptive thresholds in the axial skeleton of horses.. Equine Vet. J. 2006;38:70–75.
    doi: 10.2746/042516406775374315pubmed: 16411590google scholar: lookup
  60. Calatayud-Bonilla M, Resano M. Intra-examiner reliability in the localization of a myofascial trigger point in the equine brachiocephalicus muscle; Proceedings of the ONCE Physiotherapy Congress; Madrid, Spain. 1–3 March 2018.. .
  61. Diciolla N.S, Pérez-Clemente C, Cámara-Caballero M, Matienzo-Barreto A, Real-Rodríguez A, Torres-Lacomba M. Efficacy of exercise on postneedling soreness: A randomized controlled trial.. J. Clin. Med. 2021;10:5527.
    doi: 10.3390/jcm10235527pmc: PMC8658482pubmed: 34884230google scholar: lookup
  62. Abbaszadeh-Amirdehi M, Ansari N.N, Naghdi S, Olyaei G, Nourbakhsh M.R. The neurophysiological effects of dry needling in patients with upper trapezius myofascial trigger points: Study protocol of a controlled clinical trial.. BMJ Open 2013;3:e002825.
    doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002825pmc: PMC3657661pubmed: 23793673google scholar: lookup
  63. Abbaszadeh-Amirdehi M, Ansari N.N, Naghdi S, Olyaei G, Nourbakhsh M.R. Therapeutic effects of dry needling in patients with upper trapezius myofascial trigger points.. Acupunct. Med. 2017;35:85–92.
    doi: 10.1136/acupmed-2016-011082pmc: PMC5466920pubmed: 27697768google scholar: lookup
  64. García-de-Miguel S, Pecos-Martín D, Larroca-Sanz T, Sanz-De-Vicente B, Garcia-Montes L, Fernandez-Matias R, Gallego-Izquierdo T. Short-term effects of PENS versus dry needling in subjects with unilateral mechanical neck pain and active myofascial trigger points in levator scapulae muscle: A randomized controlled trial.. J. Clin. Med. 2020;9:1665.
    doi: 10.3390/jcm9061665pmc: PMC7355914pubmed: 32492884google scholar: lookup
  65. Arant K.R, Katz J.N, Neogi T. Quantitative sensory testing: Identifying pain characteristics in patients with osteoarthritis.. Osteoarthr. Cartil. 2022;30:17–31.
    doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2021.09.011pmc: PMC8712382pubmed: 34597800google scholar: lookup
  66. Tesarz J, Schuster A.K, Hartmann M, Gerhardt A, Eich W. Pain perception in athletes compared to normally active controls: A systematic review with meta-analysis.. Pain 2012;153:1253–1262.
    doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2012.03.005pubmed: 22607985google scholar: lookup
  67. Pettersen S.D, Aslaksen P.M, Pettersen S.A. Pain processing in elite and high-level athletes compared to non-athletes.. Front. Psychol. 2020;11:1908.
    doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01908pmc: PMC7399202pubmed: 32849117google scholar: lookup
  68. Salom-Moreno J, Jiménez-Gómez L, Gómez-Ahufinger V, Palacios-Ceña M, Arias-Buría J.L, Koppenhaver S.L, Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C. Effects of low-load exercise on postneedling-induced pain after dry needling of active trigger point in individuals with subacromial pain syndrome.. PM&R 2017;9:1208–1216.
    doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2017.04.012pubmed: 28483685google scholar: lookup
  69. Brady S, McEvoy J, Dommerholt J, Doody C. Adverse events following trigger point dry needling: A prospective survey of chartered physiotherapists.. J. Man. Manip. Ther. 2014;22:134–140.
    doi: 10.1179/2042618613Y.0000000044pmc: PMC4101552pubmed: 25125935google scholar: lookup
  70. Hong C.Z, Simons D.G. Pathophysiologic and electrophysiologic mechanisms of myofascial trigger points.. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 1998;79:863–872.
    doi: 10.1016/S0003-9993(98)90371-9pubmed: 9685106google scholar: lookup
  71. Butts R, Dunning J, Perreault T, Mourad F, Grubb M. Peripheral and spinal mechanisms of pain and dry needling mediated analgesia: A clinical resource guide for health care professionals.. Int. J. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2016;4:2–18.
    doi: 10.4172/2329-9096.1000327google scholar: lookup
  72. Perreault T, Dunning J, Butts R. The local twitch response during trigger point dry needling: Is it necessary for successful outcomes?. J. Bodyw. Mov. Ther. 2017;21:940–947.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2017.03.008pubmed: 29037652google scholar: lookup
  73. Shah J.P, Phillips T.M, Danoff J.V, Gerber L.H. An in vivo microanalytical technique for measuring the local biochemical milieu of human skeletal muscle.. J. Appl. Physiol. 2005;99:1977–1984.
    doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00419.2005pubmed: 16037403google scholar: lookup
  74. Shah J.P, Danoff J.V, Desai M.J, Parikh S, Nakamura L.Y, Phillips T.M, Gerber L.H. Biochemicals associated with pain and inflammation are elevated in sites near to and remote from active myofascial trigger points.. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2008;89:16–23.
    doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2007.10.018pubmed: 18164325google scholar: lookup
  75. Fernández-Carnero J, Gilarranz-de-Frutos L, León-Hernández J.V, Pecos-Martin D, Alguacil-Diego I, Gallego-Izquierdo T, Martín-Pintado-Zugasti A. Effectiveness of different deep dry needling dosages in the treatment of patients with cervical myofascial pain: A pilot RCT.. Am. J. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2017;96:726–733.
    doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000000733pubmed: 28291046google scholar: lookup
  76. Chen J.T, Chung K.C, Hou C.R, Kuan T.S, Chen S.M, Hong C.Z. Inhibitory effect of dry needling on the spontaneous electrical activity recorded from myofascial trigger spots of rabbit skeletal muscle.. Am. J. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2001;80:729–735.
    doi: 10.1097/00002060-200110000-00004pubmed: 11562554google scholar: lookup
  77. Martínez-Merinero P, García de Miguel S, Jiménez-Rejano J.J. Relación de las respuestas de espasmo local con el umbral de dolor a la presión y el dolor pospunción de los puntos gatillo miofasciales.. Cuest. Fisioter. 2009;38:161–172.
  78. Tokuriki M, Ohtsuki R, Kal M, Hiraga A, Oki H, Miyahara Y, Aoki O. EMG activity of the muscles of the neck and forelimbs during different forms of locomotion.. Equine Vet. J. 1999;31:231–234.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05224.xpubmed: 10659258google scholar: lookup
  79. Lamanna M, Muca E, Buonaiuto G, Formigoni A, Cavallini D. From posts to practice: Instagram’s role in veterinary dairy cow nutrition education—How does the audience interact and apply knowledge? A survey study.. J. Dairy Sci. 2025;108:1659–1671.
    doi: 10.3168/jds.2024-25347pubmed: 39662806google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.