Dry Needling Combined with Physiotherapy for Treating Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Introduction: Impingement syndrome is one of the most common pathologies affecting the shoulder girdle, comprising almost 60% of all complaints in the glenohumeral joint. It is characterized by pain, reduced range of motion (ROM), and severely decreased functional and work capacity of the upper limb. If left untreated, the condition can lead to severe tissue alterations and complications, such as adhesive capsulitis and partial or complete tears of the rotator cuff. When properly diagnosed, shoulder impingement can be treated successfully with physiotherapy, as well as with treatment modalities such as dry needling. Aim: The aim of the current report is to assess the effectiveness of applying physiotherapy combined with the dry needling treatment modality in patients suffering from shoulder impingement syndrome who chose a non-operative option as part of their recovery routine. Methods: A total of 10 patients, divided into two groups of 5, participated in our study. The first group received only a traditional physiotherapy program and was designated the control group. The second group received a traditional physiotherapy program with the addition of the dry needling treatment modality and was designated the experimental group. Measurements and data regarding active range of motion (ROM), VAS results, manual muscle testing, and the functional assessment scale were collected at the beginning and end of the study. Results and Discussion: The experimental group that received the dry needling treatment modality in addition to the traditional physiotherapy program achieved significantly higher results compared to the control group. The mean end value for shoulder flexion was 15 degrees higher compared to the control group. The mean end values for abduction and the UCLA functional assessment scale (32 points) were identical for both groups. Conclusion: The collected data in the current study indicate that physiotherapy combined with the dry needling treatment modality can significantly decrease pain and increase recovery potential in patients suffering from shoulder impingement syndrome.