COMPARING THE EFFECTS OF DRY NEEDLING AND CENTRAL STABILITY EXERCISES ON QUADRATUS LUMBORUM TRIGGER POINTS (RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL)

Abstract

Background: Lower backache is often caused by myofascial pain points in the quadratus lumborum muscle. The lower back's muscles may develop trigger points—hyperirritable foci within tight bands of hypertonic musculature—as a result of acute or chronic stressors, changes in muscular demands, or both. There are a number of tried-and-true manual therapy methods for addressing muscle imbalances and trigger points, including central stability exercises and dry needling. Objective: Comparing the Effects of Dry Needling and Central Stability exercises on Quadratus lumborum Trigger Points. Methods: The inclusion and exclusion criteria were satisfied by fourteen participants in a randomized clinical study. The subjects were split into two categories: Central stability exercises were administered to Group B, whereas dry needling was administered to Group A. Disposable stainless-steel needles measuring 0.3*60 mm were used for DN. There were thirty to thirty-five minutes in each session. Exercises for Core Stability that include the following: Bridging, Toe Tapping, prone plank, side plank with extended arm and Bird Dog (Quadruped Position with Alternating Arms and Legs). Each session lasted three weeks. The workout regimen consisted of two sessions per week, with each session lasting 6-9 minutes and consisting of three sets of five repetitions with a 5-10 second hold between sets. The NPRS was used to assess pain, while the MODI was used to quantify disability. Results: Reductions in both pain and disability were significantly affected by therapy in both groups (p>0.05). When it came to alleviating pain and incapacity caused by Quadratus lumborum trigger points, Dry Needling proved to be more helpful than Central Stability Exercises. Conclusion: Dry needling and central stability exercises both reduced pain and impairment similarly, according to the research. On the other hand, the results for pain and impairment were much better with the Dry Needling Technique.