Using the Dry Needling Method as a Treatment Option for Chronic Tension Headache in Patients with Secondary Edentia

Introduction. Today, headache is one of the most common problems that leads to a decrease in the quality of life and disability of the world’s adult population. There is a close anatomical relationship between the dentoalveolar system and other structures of the head and neck. Secondary adentia leads to a violation of the adequate functioning of the dentoalveolar apparatus, which in turn is inextricably linked to the facial and masticatory muscles. Aim: to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment of patients with prolonged partial dentition and tension headache using the Dry Needling method. Material and Methods. Sixty people participated in the study, who were randomly divided into two groups: control and experimental. The experimental group received the technique of deep trigger point puncture. The control group received a simulated intervention. The effectiveness of the treatment was assessed by VAS scores, the number of trigger points, and the amplitude of biopotentials in the masticatory muscles, as measured by electromyography. Results. A decrease in VAS scores was observed in the experimental group by 48.45% and in the control group by 18.13% compared to the baseline indicators before the start of treatment. The number of trigger points in the experimental group decreased by 65.60%, while in the control group, it decreased by 14.42%. Electromyography data also showed a weakening of muscle tone. Conclusions. The Dry Needling method demonstrated clinical effectiveness in the treatment of tension headache in patients with long-term secondary partial adentia.