Pain and Neck Dysfunction Following Dry Needling With and Without Intramuscular Electrical Stimulus.

One to three filament needles (similar to an acupuncture needle) with no medication will be inserted into the trigger point(s) of the muscle. The needles will be repositioned a few times to make the muscle twitch (local twitch response). After several twitches occur, the researcher will leave the needles as they are, and the subject will lie on a treatment table without moving arms or head, for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes the needles are removed and discarded.

One to three filament needles (similar to an acupuncture needle) with no medication will be inserted into the trigger point(s) of the muscle. The needles will be repositioned a few times to make the muscle twitch (local twitch response). After several twitches occur, the researcher will leave the needles as they are, and attach alligator clips to the needles to provide electrical stimulus for 10 minutes while the subject lies on a treatment table without moving arms or head. After 10 minutes, the electrical stimulus will be turned off and detached, and the needles removed and discarded.