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Publisher: Peytchinski Publishing Ltd.
ISSN: 1312-773X (Online)
Issue: 2026, vol. 32, issue4
Subject Area: Public Health
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DOI: 10.5272/jimab.2026324.7142
Published online: 12 October 2026
Review article
J of IMAB. 2026 Oct-Dec;32(4):7142-7147
EFFECTIVENESS OF CONVENTIONAL PHYSIOTHERAPY AND DRY NEEDLING IN MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Silviya Filkova1
, Minko Milev1, Penka Mincheva-Bolgurova2,
1) Medical College, Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria.
2) National Sports Academy "Vasil Levski", Sofia, Bulgaria.
ABSTRACT:
Purpose: This study aimed to systematize and critically analyze the contemporary evidence regarding the effectiveness of conventional physiotherapy approaches combined with dry needling in the management of musculoskeletal pain.
Material/Methods: A systematic search was conducted in the electronic databases MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, and Web of Science to identify relevant English-language publications up to 1 May 2025. The search strategy included combinations of the following descriptors: "dry needling" AND ("physiotherapy" OR "physical therapy") AND ("manual therapy" OR "modalities" OR "electrotherapy"). Study selection followed predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Results: Of the 169 records initially identified, 11 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the final analysis. The findings indicate that among various needling techniques, such as traditional acupuncture, Western medical acupuncture, and dry needling, the latter is distinguished by its direct and targeted application to myofascial trigger points. Dry needling was associated with reductions in pain intensity and improvements in functional outcomes, particularly in the short term.
Conclusions: This systematic review suggests that both conventional physiotherapy and dry needling are clinically effective in the management of musculoskeletal pain. Dry needling, in particular, demonstrates significant short-term benefits and shows potential for sustained therapeutic effects when incorporated into multimodal physiotherapy programs.
Keywords: musculoskeletal pain, physical therapy modalities, dry needling, exercise therapy, myofascial pain syndromes,
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Please cite this article as: Filkova S, Milev M, Mincheva-Bolgurova P. Effectiveness of Conventional Physiotherapy and Dry Needling in Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review. J of IMAB. 2026 Oct-Dec;32(4):7142-7147. [Crossref - 10.5272/jimab.2026324.7142]
Correspondence to: Assoc. Prof. Silviya Filkova, PhD, Medical College, Medical University, Varna; 84 Tzar Osvoboditel Str., 9000 Varna, Bulgaria. E-mail: silviq.filkova@mu-varna.bg
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Received: 17 April 2026
Published online: 12 October 2026