The Effectiveness of Dry Needling Treatment in Patients Diagnosed With Dorsal Myofascial Pain Syndrome.

Back pain is commonly seen in the working-age population, with the peak occurrence around the age of 40. Its frequency does not increase with age and is not associated with age-related degenerative changes in the spine. Especially when the underlying cause is conditions such as myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), where regional muscle sensitivity in the rhomboid and trapezius areas is prominent, dry needling treatment has become increasingly popular and the subject of numerous studies in recent years. In the diagnosis of MPS, two valuable findings include the detection of a taut band upon palpation and the presence of trigger points in muscle fibers with mild finger pressure. The study we are planning involves a double-blind efficacy trial where real and sham dry needling procedures will be performed under ultrasound guidance, ensuring that both the patient and the evaluator are blinded. This study design has the potential to make a significant contribution to the literature in this field.

Inclusion Criteria: * Clinically diagnosed with Dorsal Myofascial Pain Syndrome associated with rhomboid and trapezius trigger point. * Having a shoulder pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score of 6 or higher. * Ability to read and write Exclusion Criteria: * History of spinal surgery. * Lesions, atrophy, or scars in the skin around the back. * Undergoing physiotherapy targeting the back and lumbar region in the last 6 months. * Undergoing an interventional procedure for back or lumbar pain in the last 3 months. * Use of steroids in the last 1 month. * Special conditions such as epilepsy, pregnancy, injection phobia, etc. * Inability to comply with the restriction on the use of steroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs during the treatment period.