Dry Needling for Shoulder Pain Relief
Shoulder pain and how dry needling can help.
Dr. Ryan Proffit, PT
Movement Specialist
When I first joined the military as a physical Therapist I was strongly encouraged to take
a dry needling course ASAP. It wasn’t more than a few years later that it became
mandatory training for all Air Force physical therapists. In 2014 I started working as an
embedded physical therapist in an Air Force Special Warfare unit and I found dry
needling to be a very effective treatment for anterior shoulder pain or more specifically
subacromial pain, a condition characterized by pain and restricted movement due to
compression of the rotator cuff tendons and subacromial structures. Dry needling
involves inserting thin needles into myofascial trigger points to alleviate pain and
improve mobility. Research suggests that dry needling can be effective, particularly
when combined with manual therapy and therapeutic exercises.
Effectiveness of Dry Needling for Shoulder Impingement
Pain Reduction and Functional Improvement
Studies have shown that dry needling can significantly reduce pain in individuals with
shoulder impingement. Blanco-Diaz et al. (2022) conducted a systematic review on the
effectiveness of dry needling in treating subacromial pain syndrome and found that
patients experienced notable pain relief within four weeks of treatment. Additionally,
some individuals reported benefits after a single session, suggesting that dry needling
may provide rapid symptom relief.
Combination with Manual Therapy
Dry needling is probably not a stand alone treatment and appears to be most effective
when integrated with manual therapy techniques. A study published by Wildflower
Physical Therapy & Wellness highlights that combining dry needling with joint
mobilizations and soft tissue manipulation enhances treatment outcomes. This
approach helps address muscle tightness and joint stiffness, leading to improved range
of motion and reduced impingement symptoms.
Long-Term Benefits and Stability
Again, dry needling appears to provide longer-lasting benefits when used alongside
other therapeutic interventions. One randomized controlled trial described in BMC
Musculoskeletal Disorders examined the inclusion of dry needling within a
physiotherapy protocol for chronic shoulder pain. The findings indicated that patients
who received dry needling in conjunction with therapeutic exercises experienced more
stable and sustained improvements compared to those who underwent exercise therapy
alone.
Conclusion
In my experience as an Air Force and civilian physical therapist, dry needling has been
an effective tool in reducing pain and improving function in individuals with shoulderpain. While it can provide rapid relief, its benefits are maximized when combined with
manual therapy and structured exercise programs.
References
Blanco-Diaz, M. et al. (2022). A systematic review of the effectiveness of dry needling in
subacromial syndrome. Biology, 11(243).
Tejera-Falcón, E., Toledo-Martel, N., Sosa-Medina, F.M. et al. Dry needling in a manual
physiotherapy and therapeutic exercise protocol for patients with chronic mechanical
shoulder pain of unspecific origin: a protocol for a randomized control trial. BMC
Musculoskelet Disord 18, 400 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-017-1746-3
Pérez-Palomares S, Oliván-Blázquez B, Pérez-Palomares A, Gaspar-Calvo E, Pérez-
Benito M, López-Lapeña E, de la Torre-Beldarraín ML, Magallón-Botaya R. Contribution
of Dry Needling to Individualized Physical Therapy Treatment of Shoulder Pain: A
Randomized Clinical Trial. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017 Jan;47(1):11-20. doi:
10.2519/jospt.2017.6698. Epub 2016 Dec 10. PMID: 27937046.
As always, our physical therapy clinic does participate in most insurance plans, including TriWest Tricare Select, TriWest Tricare Prime, and TriWest Tricare For Life for military active duty, military retirees, and their dependents. As a United States Air Force retiree myself, I am excited to continue to serve our nation’s guardians and their families.
In health,
Ryan Proffit, PT
Movement Specialist
