Can your therapist find your ribs by touch? study says ultrasound knows better
NCT ID NCT04066166
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 24, 2026
Summary
This study checked how accurately a practitioner can locate a rib by touch (palpation) compared to using ultrasound. 44 healthy adults took part. The goal was to see if palpation alone is reliable enough for dry needling of deep shoulder muscles. Results help guide safer practice.
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This is a summary of
the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
What this could lead to
If successful, this could help make dry needling safer and more accurate by showing when palpation alone is reliable.
What could go wrong
This was a small, completed study in healthy adults, so results may not apply to people with pain or other conditions.
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.