Trigger point dry needling is not effective for shoulder pain: a response to JOSPT's Hando et al (2026) clinical trial (spinalmanipulation.org)

• Critique of insufficient needling technique specificity in Hando et al.
• Negative outcomes are methodological, not evidence of ineffectiveness
• Advocacy for precise trigger point localization and skilled application

"A critical analysis challenges the methodology of a recent JOSPT study on dry needling for shoulder pain. The author argues that negative findings result from inadequate techniques (simplistic 'pricking') rather than ineffectiveness of dry needling. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of precise trigger point localization and skilled application."