Needles and light: a new attack on muscle pain?

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Participants must meet all of the following criteria: Adults aged 20 to 45 years. Clinical diagnosis of acute upper trapezius myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) with symptom duration of less than 1 month. Presence of at least one active myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle confirmed by physical examination according to accepted diagnostic criteria (palpable taut band, hypersensitive trigger point, reproduction of the patient's typical pain, and/or local twitch response). Moderate or greater neck pain (Numerical Pain Rating Scale \[NPRS\] ≥4). Willing and able to provide written informed consent and comply with study procedures. Exclusion Criteria: * Participants meeting any of the following criteria will be excluded: Previous dry needling or LL MCES treatment for the current episode of myofascial pain. Chronic myofascial pain syndrome (symptom duration ≥1 month). Current use of systemic corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or other medications that may significantly influence inflammatory biomarkers within the washout period specified in the protocol. Previous surgery, fracture, or significant trauma involving the neck or shoulder region. Cervical radiculopathy, cervical myelopathy, fibromyalgia, inflammatory arthritis, or other neurological or musculoskeletal disorders that could explain the symptoms. Local skin infection, open wound, or other contraindications to dry needling or LL MCES. Bleeding disorders, anticoagulant therapy, or other contraindications to needling. Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Active malignancy, autoimmune disease, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, acute infection, or other systemic inflammatory conditions. History of severe psychiatric illness or inability to complete study assessments. Participation in another interventional clinical trial within the previous 30 days.