A Case-Series of Dry Needling as an Immediate Sensory Integration Intervention

ABSTRACT

Background

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) has been associated with altered cortical mapping in the primary somatosensory cortex. Various sensory discrimination treatments have been explored to positively influence CLBP by targeting cortical maps.

Objectives

To determine if dry needling (DN) applied to patients with CLBP would yield changes in two-point discrimination (TPD) and left-right judgment (LRJ) tasks for the low back. Secondary measurements of pain and limited range of motion (ROM) was also assessed.

Methods

A sample of 15 patients with CLBP were treated with DN to their low back. Prior to and immediately after DN, TPD, LRJ tasks, low back pain, spinal ROM, and straight leg raise (SLR) were measured.

Results

Following DN, there was a significant (p < 0.005) improvement in LRJ for low back images in all measures, except accuracy for the right side. TPD significantly improved at the L3 segment with a moderate effect size. A significant improvement was found for pain and trunk ROM after DN with a large effect in changing pain of 3.33 points and improving SLR by 9.0 degrees on average, which exceeds the minimal detectable change of 5.7 degrees.

Conclusions

This is the first study to explore if DN alters TPD and LRJ tasks in patients with CLBP. Results show an immediate significant positive change in TPD and LRJ tasks, as well as pain ratings and movement.

KEYWORDS:

• Dry needling
• low back pain
• chronic pain
• sensory integration

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethics

This study was approved by the Internal Review Board of Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported that there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Matt O’Neill

Matt O’Neill is a staff physical therapist at Catawba Valley Medical Center. He is board certified in orthopedics and has completed fellowship training in pain science.

Adriaan Louw

Adriaan Louw is a senior faculty, pain science director and vice-president of faculty experience for Evidence in Motion. He has completed a master’s degree and PhD in physiotherapy and is adjunt faculty at St. Ambrose University and the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Jessie Podalak

Jessie Podolak is a physical therapist and owner of Phileo Health. She is a senior faculty member with Evidence in Motion and has completed fellowship training in pain science.

Nicholas Maiers

Nicholas Maiers is a phyiscal therapist and faculty clinician at Des Moines University. He has completed fellowship training in pain science.

Terry Cox

Terry Cox is a physical therapist and faculty member at Southwest Baptist University. He is board certified in orthopedic physical therapy and has completed a fellowship in orthopaedic manual physical therapy.

Kory Zimney

Kory Zimney is a physical therapist and faculty member at the University of South Dakota. Kory completed a PhD in physical therapy from Nova Southeastern University.