COMPARISON OF INSTRUMENT DELIVERED PERCUSSIONS AND FASCIAL INHIBITION-POINTS DRY NEEDLING ON CHANGES IN MUSCLE LENGTH OF SOME COMMONLY TIGHT MUSCLES

The purpose of this study was to compare and check whether there are any significant changes in muscle length of some commonly tight muscles chosen by us namely Hamstring, Erector Spinae, Pectoralis Minor, and Tensor fascia Lata (TFL) by using an Electrical Instrument Delivered Percussions and Dry Needling Technique on Fascial inhibition Points of these muscles. 

A total of 80 participants of either gender were included in this study. Pre-intervention muscle lengths were recorded with measuring tape using reliable and valid muscle length tests. Two groups were established:  Electrical Percussion Technique (8-12 Hz frequency) was given on respective  fascial inhibition zones of these muscles to randomly allocated samples of Group A and the Fascial Dry Needling Technique was undertaken on their respective fascial inhibition zones  to randomly allocated samples of Group B. Each group consisted of 4 subgroups, with each subgroup containing 10 samples of a respective muscle i.e. of Hamstring, Pectoralis Minor, TFL, and Erector Spinae. Post intervention length tests were recorded immediately and 3 days post intervention for comparison.  

The result showed statistical significant changes in both Groups on muscle length recorded immediately and also on day 3 post intervention, with a p-values less than 0.05 using. T-test of dependent means. T-test of independent means showed that Dry Needling groups had greater significant improvement for the Hamstring, Pectoralis Minor, and TFL muscle. Whereas, for Erector Spinae both interventions proved to show equally  good results, stating no significant difference of both the interventions independently.  

Based on the findings of this study, both the Dry Needling technique and the Electrical percussion technique had shown considerable gains in muscle length. However, when the efficacy of these two therapies was compared, Dry Needling of these distant fascial points appeared as the better alternative for increasing muscle length of the Hamstring, Pectoralis Minor, and TFL muscles.

This could be a useful procedure to decrease muscle over-activity and  triggers in these muscles, augmenting muscle lengthening procedures in patients with chronic muscular imbalances and thus resorting myofascial health and mechanical functions in joints.