Dry needling för lateral armbågstendinopati i osteopatisk praktik

Abstract

Lateral elbow tendinopathy (LAT) is one of the most common injuries of the upper extremity and affects 1-3% of the population between 35-50 years. The condition causes pain and functional limitations, usually due to repetitive, unilateral work such as craft occupations and different sports. There is, however, no common ground regarding the best treatment method, but physiotherapy combined with different stretch exercises and eccentric training of the forearm’s extensor muscles is the most common approach. Nonetheless, studies have shown promising results for traditional treatment methods, including osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT), and simultaneously the practice of dry needling has increased among osteopaths. The purpose of this study is therefore to investigate whether dry needling (DN) could be a complementary treatment option for LAT in osteopathic clinic. Research on the subject was done mainly through databases PubMed and ScienceDirect where all the six reviewed articles were found, except one. All six articles show positive effects of the utilization of DN for LAT: increased function, decreased pain, increased grip strength, as well as increased mobility. These results suggest that there is some evidence behind the application of DN in the treatment of LAT by osteopaths. However, it cannot be ascertained that dry needling is better than other methods that treat LAT. Therefore, further research on DN and lateral elbow tendinopathy is required for a clearer understanding and more reliable clinical application within osteopathic practice.

Keywords: Osteopathy, Lateral Elbow Tendin