Impact of Dry Needling on Lateral Epicondylitis

Abstract

Background: Lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow, is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition characterized by pain and dysfunction in the lateral aspect of the elbow. Various treatment modalities have been employed to manage this condition, including dry needling, which has gained increasing attention in recent years. This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dry needling for the management of lateral epicondylitis.

Methods: The review followed the PRISMA guidelines and included a comprehensive search of PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) for relevant articles published within the last 10 years. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies investigating the impact of dry needling on lateral epicondylitis in human subjects, with outcomes related to pain reduction, functional improvement, or tissue healing. Quality assessment was conducted using appropriate tools, and data synthesis was performed using a narrative approach.

Results: A total of 23 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Findings indicate that dry needling is associated with significant improvements in pain reduction, functional outcomes, and tissue healing in individuals with lateral epicondylitis. Comparative effectiveness analyses suggest that dry needling may offer comparable or superior benefits to traditional treatments, with minimal adverse effects reported. Mechanistic studies provide insights into the physiological and biochemical pathways through which dry needling exerts its therapeutic effects.

Conclusion: This systematic review provides robust evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of dry needling for the management of lateral epicondylitis. Dry needling offers significant benefits in terms of pain reduction, functional improvement, and tissue healing, with potential advantages over traditional treatments. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms of action and optimize the clinical implementation of dry needling in the management of lateral epicondylitis.