Evaluation of dry needling in patients with chronic heel pain due to plantar fasciitis

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate effects of dry needling in chronic heel pain due to plantar fasciitis. MethodDuring the present single-blinded clinical trial, 20 eligible patients were randomized into two groups; a case group treated by dry needling and a control group. Patients’ plantar pain severity [using modified visual analog scale (VAS) scoring], range of motion of ankle joint in dorsiflexion (ROMDF) and plantar extension (ROMPE) and foot function index (by standard questionnaires SEM5 and MDC7) were assessed at baseline, four weeks after intervention and four weeks after withdrawing treatment. ResultsThe mean VAS scores in the case group was significantly lower than the control group after four weeks of intervention (P<0.001). Comparison of the ROMDF and ROMPE did not reveal any significant change after four weeks of intervention in both the case and control groups (P=0.7 and P=0.65, respectively). The mean of MDC7 and SEM5 scores in the case group was significantly lower than the control group following four weeks of intervention (P<0.001). ConclusionsDespite the insignificant effect on ROMDF and ROMPE, trigger point dry needling by improving the severity of heel pain can be used as a good alternative option before proceeding to more invasive therapies of plantar fasciitis.