Dry Needle Therapy Vs Hip Pain
Is hip pain holding you back? if so, you are not alone. If you are an adult who is active or participates in a sport, your likelihood of experiencing hip pain is about 1 in 3. Among active adults over 60, your likelihood is about 1 in 6 or 7. The most common causes for younger adults typically fall into the labral injury or synovitis categories. For reference, the labrum is the connective tissue lining the “socket” of the ball and socket joint, and synovitis refers to inflammation of the synovium, that is, the connective tissue that lines the inside of the joint capsule. For older adults, the most common causes of hip pain are trochanteric pain syndrome, that is, pain coming from the bony prominence on the outside of the hip, and osteoarthritis, which refers to Joint degeneration.
While not as common as knee pain, hip pain is a very common complaint for both active and inactive people.
Treating and alleviating the pain and stiffness associated with hip pain can be challenging due to the deep nature of this complex joint. I began treating hip pain as a young therapist in the military with a combination of manual mobilization of hip, pelvis, and lower back, along with corrective neuromuscular reeducation and dry needle therapy. In the last decade, there has been an increasing interest in the use of dry needling for the treatment of hip pain, lower back, and sciatica pain syndromes.
How do we know that the dry needling physical therapy intervention is effective for hip pain? To answer that question, let’s take a look at some of the recent research, including its effectiveness, potential side effects, and how it compares to other forms of treatment.
One study, published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy in 2016, looked at the effects of dry needling on patients with hip pain. The study included 60 patients with hip pain who were randomly assigned to receive either dry needling or a sham (placebo) intervention. The dry needling group received needling at specific points around the hip joint, while the sham group received needling in a non-specific location. The study found that patients in the dry needling group had a significant reduction in pain and an improvement in function compared to the placebo group. The study concluded that while further investigation is required with future high-quality studies, at this time dry needling may be considered an effective treatment for hip pain.
Another study, published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science in 2016, compared the effects of dry needling to those of traditional physical therapy on patients with hip pain. Traditional physical therapy typically includes stretching, strengthening, hot or cold packs, and other interventions such as ultrasound or iontophoresis. The study included 60 patients with hip pain who were randomly assigned to receive either dry needling or traditional physical therapy. The study found that both groups had a significant reduction in pain and an improvement in function, but that the dry needling group had a greater improvement in function compared to the traditional physical therapy group. The study concluded that dry needling may be more effective than traditional physical therapy for treating hip pain.
And finally, a systematic review of multiple randomized controlled trials published in 2018 (typically considered to be the highest quality category of research study), in the Journal of Physiotherapy and Physical Rehabilitation, showed that dry needling is a safe and effective treatment for hip pain. The study also showed that dry needling can help improve pain, function and quality of life in people who are actively working at maintaining and improving their current level of physical activity.
As always when considering any therapeutic intervention, it’s important to note that dry needling may be contraindicated for some people and may cause temporary pain, muscle soreness (usually a good sign), or a small bruise at the needle site. Side effects are typically mild, and short-lived, and significant relief usually comes within 24 hours.
So, to wrap this discussion up, dry needling is an effective treatment for hip pain. The research suggests it may be more effective than traditional physical therapy and has a good safety profile. However, as with any treatment, it’s important to consult with your doctor of physical therapy to determine if dry needling is right for you.
Can dry needle therapy help with your hip pain? No question. After my time as a university professor, I arrived here in Colorado Springs in 2017, and since that time I have helped countless people using this simple and effective dry needle technique. If you’re wondering how dry needle therapy can become a part of your personalized, holistic rehabilitation plan of care, please reach out with any questions you have. I look forward to speaking with you.
Dr. Scott A. Jones, PT
Movement Performance Coach
Are you tired of the cycle of frustration, and ready to get back to your activities?
