Can Dry Needling Technique Replace Cervical Manipulation Technique for Patients with Migraine

Background of the study: Migraine is a renowned medical condition in 15% of general population. The patients with migraine exhibited active Trigger Points in their neck extensor muscles. Dry needling is a treatment using a thin filament sterile needle to puncture skin and create tiny lesions in a muscle, tendon, to help restore normal physiology function, and reduce pain. Needling has applications for myofascial pain, chronic pain, headache, migraine. Cervical Manipulation Technique has been used to reduce pain and improve range of motion and used in the treatment of patients with head and neck disorders, including neck pain and stiffness, muscle-tension headache, and migraine. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of dry needling technique versus cervical manipulation technique on patients with migraine. Methodology: 30 patients were randomly divided into two groups; fifteen patients in the experimental group-A received cervical manipulation technique (3 times/week) and fifteen patients in the experimental group-B received Dry needling technique. The VAS and NDI were used as outcome measures. Result: Comparing between Group A and Group B showed significant difference in effectiveness on pain and Neck disability with P value >0.0001 among patients with migraine. Group B with Dry needling technique found more effective than Group A with cervical manipulation technique with mean difference of (2.867) and (11.40) over (2.267) and (10.47) respectively. Conclusion: Dry needling technique group is more effective over cervical manipulation technique on enhancing on pain and neck disability. Therefore, this study concludes that Dry needling technique is an effective intervention for migraine patients. Key words: Visual analog scale, Neck disability index, cervical manipulation technique, Dry needling technique, Trigger points.