Effectiveness of Dry Needling and Stretching in People With Fibromyalgia.

Effectiveness of Dry Needling and Stretching on Joint Range and Myofascial Pain at the Cervical Level in People With Fibromyalgia.

Effectiveness of dry needling and stretching on joint range and myofascial pain at the cervical level in people with fibromyalgia

A randomised clinical trial will be conducted in which there will be 3 groups. One control group and 2 experimental groups; one of them will undergo dry needling of the upper trapezius fibres and the other will undergo passive stretching of the upper trapezius fibres. Both groups will have the joint range of cervical lateral tilt, pain measurement by algometer and visual analogue scale (VAS) measured. All these measurements will be taken before and after treatment. The participants of the study will be people who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia at least 6 months before the start of the study, who are members of the FIBROFAMUR association. Association of Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases of Murcia. The data collected will be: socio-demographic data, age, sex, measurement of cervical joint range using a goniometer and measurement of pain using an algometer and visual analogue scale (VAS). As undesirable effects, in exceptional cases, the dry needling technique may produce residual discomfort in the puncture area that may last between 1 and 3 days.

Dry needling of the trigger point of the upper fibres of the trapezius muscle. Using the Hong technique.

One experimental group will receive dry needling treatment on the upper trapezius fibres using the Hong technique and the other experimental group will receive passive muscle stretching treatment on the upper trapezius fibres.

Measurement of the joint range of the contralateral cervical tilt using a goniometer. Measurement of the lateral tilt range in degrees.Values may vary from zero to 45 degrees.

Measurement of cervical myofascial trigger point pain with an algometer. Measurement of pain in kilograms per square centimetre. Values may vary from zero to 10 kilograms.

Measurement of the degree of pain using the visual analogue scale. Measured from zero to ten, zero corresponds to no pain and ten corresponds to worst pain imaginable.

Inclusion Criteria: Have a diagnosis of fibromyalgia at least six months before the start of the study. Be of legal age. Report at least one episode of neck pain in the last six months. Exclusion Criteria: Surgical interventions or scars at cervical level. Dizziness or vertigo. Dermatological problems. Severe psychiatric disorders.