Effects of Dry Needling on Plantar Heel Pain: A Critically Appraised Topic

Plantar heel pain affects approximately 10% of the general population, with various treatments proposed to alleviate symptoms, the most common being stretching and taping. However, the evidence supporting these modalities remains inconclusive, as studies have yielded mixed results regarding their effectiveness in managing the condition. This critically appraised topic investigates the question, in patients with plantar heel pain, does dry needling of myofascial trigger points improve pain and function compared to other treatments (e.g., stretching, foot taping, anti-inflammatory injections)? All three studies demonstrated a significant reduction in perceived pain for individuals who received dry needling. One study, which compared dry needling to percutaneous needle electrolysis (PEN), found that both treatments were effective in decreasing pain, with the PNE yielding better and more long-lasting results. Another study noted that while dry needling reduced pain, it had an insignificant effect on improving range of motion. All three studies used the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) to assess pain levels, providing a consistent subjective measure of the patient’s pain perceptions across the studies. The evidence-based research indicates that dry needling is an effective treatment for plantar heel pain, with statistically significant reductions in visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores observed across all studies. Additionally, percutaneous needle electrolysis (PNE) was found to yield more substantial long-term improvements compared to dry needling alone. However, no significant improvements in range of motion were reported. Grade B evidence shows statistical support for the use of dry needling in the treatment of plantar heel pain.