Introduction:

Myofascial trigger points (MTP) are an important cause of musculoskeletal pain and are defined as localized pain, expressed in a band of hyperirritable tense muscle fiber that can be referred to distant areas.

Objective:

To describe the immediate effect of dry needling (DN) on muscle activity and pain intensity in subjects with myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius.

Methods:

A sample of 36 participants with latent PGM diagnosis was selected. They underwent an intervention with dry puncture and the variables of pain with VAS and muscular activity of the upper trapezius were measured before and after the intervention in a gesture of anterior reach.

Results:

After the application of DN, muscle activity decreased by 4.53 % (p = 0.002), pain by 1.53 cm (p = 0.000).

Conclusion:

The DN application has an immediate effect on the decreased muscle activity and pain in latent PGM in the upper trapezius during a previous functional range.

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