Dry Needling in Subjects with Muscular Trigger Points in the Lower Quarter: A Systematic Review

6 randomized controlled trials analyzing the effect of dry needling in the lower extremity and/or lumbar region on patients with painful muscular trigger points, were included in this systematic review. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively assess the body of evidence regarding the effect of dry needling on clinically important outcomes in patients with lower quarter trigger points. The results displayed that short-term improvements were present in pain scores with dry needling when compared to sham or placebo treatments (heel pain, low back pain, total knee arthroplasty pain), however, no significant effects on functional outcomes, disability, or quality of life were noted in the short- or long-term.