The Effect of Dry Needling of the Gluteus Medius Muscle in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain
The Effect of Dry Needling of the Gluteus Medius Muscle in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain
The effectiveness of dry needling of the Gluteus Medius muscle in combination with active
 exercises will be examined compared with sham needling with active exercises in low back pain
 (LBP) patients.
Objectives: To examine if dry needling in combination with active physiotherapy is more
 effective in reducing pain and increase activity of daily living, range of motion and muscle
 strength in patients with chronic low back pain compared to sham dry needling in combination
 with active physiotherapy.

 Methods: the study will include individuals with non-specific LBP over 3 months.

 Subjects will be divided randomly into two research groups, both will receive physiotherapy
 including mobility, strengthening and stretching exercises. Intervention group, additionally
 to exercises, will receive dry needling to the Gluteus Medius muscle by inserting a needle to
 a trigger point until a visible involuntary twitch in the muscle appears. Sham needling will
 be applied by needling with pre-cut and smoothed needles that will not penetrate the skin.

 Both groups will receive two treatments per week and up to six treatments overall, evaluation
 will be performed before and after the series of treatments.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Main complaint of nonspecific LBP over a 3 month period

 -  VAS > 3 at baseline

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  two or more of the following signs are present on physical examination: lower
 extremity weakness in a myotome distribution, decreased sensation in a dermatomal
 distribution, altered lower extremity deep tendon reflexes, pathological reflexes, a
 positive straight leg raise (SLR) test, crossed SLR or femoral nerve stretch test.

 -  Symptoms began immediately after a significant trauma (motor vehicle accident, fall
 from a height) and subjects were not been screened for possible fractures.

 -  Physical therapy or chiropractic treatment for LBP was provided during the 6 months
 prior to participation in the study or are currently being treated.

 -  presence of contraindication for dry needling

 -  pregnancy

 -  past back or pelvic surgery