American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation
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Am J Phys Med Rehabil · May 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialDry needling to a key myofascial trigger point may reduce the irritability of satellite MTrPs.
To investigate the changes in pressure pain threshold of the secondary (satellite) myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) after dry needling of a primary (key) active MTrP. ⋯ This study provides evidence that dry needle-evoked inactivation of a primary (key) MTrP inhibits the activity in satellite MTrPs situated in its zone of pain referral. This supports the concept that activity in a primary MTrP leads to the development of activity in satellite MTrPs and the suggested spinal cord mechanism responsible for this phenomenon.