Comparison of Dry Needling and Activator Trigger Point Therapy on Upper Trapezius Trigger Points.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Dry needling and Activator trigger point therapy on upper trapezius trigger points.Randomized controlled trial was conducted on Sixty-eight patients with active upper trapezius trigger points meeting the inclusion criteria i.e Age limit 20-45 both genders, presence of unilateral or bilateral upper trapezius Trigger Points. For bilateral presence of trigger points, the more painful side was selected. If more than one trigger points were present on the side to be treated, most painful trigger point was treated. Patients fulfilling essential criteria to identify the trigger points. According to Simon's criteria, which included a palpable taut band that was detected with palpation, the presence of a sensitive nodule in the taut band which was determined with algometry and referral pain. Exclusion criteria was specific neck pain, e.g. radiculopathy, systemic or inflammatory pain., evidence of spinal cord compression, recent neck surgery or trauma, long-term use of corticosteroids, anticoagulant use, e.g. Warfarin, presence of a blood coagulation disorder, contraindication for needling such as local infection, pregnancy with threatened abortion. Participants were selected by purposive sampling, group randomization using lottery method technique. All the participants were assessed using Numeric pain rating scale to measure pain, algometer to measure pain pressure threshold and inclinometer to measure cervical lateral flexion range of motion. A demographic form was used to collect data from patients. Patients were randomly assigned in dry needling and activator therapy group. Treatment was given at a frequency of 2 sessions per week and total 6 sessions were given to both group during a course of 3 weeks. The data was analyzed using SPSS 21.