J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2024 Oct;40:1093-1096. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.07.017. Epub 2024 Jul 9.

ABSTRACT

CLINICAL SCENARIO: Following intense physical training, it is common for athletes to develop muscle soreness, muscle tightness and a sense of fatigue. Minimizing the time spent in this state is advantageous to limit time off from sport, potential injury and lack of mental focus.

CLINICAL QUESTION: Does dry needling aid in post-training recovery in athletes?

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS: A search was performed for articles exploring the effect of dry needling on exercise/training recovery in athletes. Six articles were included in this critically appraised topic. Three articles were randomized controlled trials, one was a cross-over design, one was a case series, and one was a survey. Five of the six studies demonstrated that dry needling had some sort of positive effect on post-training recovery. One article found DN did not improve muscle soreness after a long distance race.

CLINICAL BOTTOM LINE: Based on six studies, DN provides mixed results on a variety of physiological and subjective measures. No adverse effects were reported with the use of DN on athletes following post-training.

STRENGTH OF RECOMMENDATION: In agreement with the Center of Evidence-Based Medicine, the consistent results from three Level II and two Level III intervention studies designate that there is grade D evidence that DN may aid in some post-training recovery variables.

PMID:39593418 | DOI:10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.07.017