We all know that needling the trapezius can be a great thing, especially with the typical "J" referral pattern working so well for headache and neck pain. 

We also know there is much literature to be found regarding its efficacy for: mechanical neck pain (1,2), myofascial pain (2-4), range of motion (5), local blood flow (6), among a host of other things. 

Here is a recent video of one effective method for deep dry needling this clinically important muscle.

Dry Needling the Upper trapezius from Ivo Waerlop on Vimeo.

1.Pecos-Martín D, Montañez-Aguilera FJ, Gallego-Izquierdo T, Urraca-Gesto A, Gómez-Conesa A, Romero-Franco N, Plaza-Manzano G.Effectiveness of dry needling on the lower trapezius in patients with mechanical neck pain: a randomized controlled trial Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2015 May;96(5):775-81. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2014.12.016. Epub 2015 Jan 9.

2. Liu L, Huang QM, Liu QG, Ye G, Bo CZ, Chen MJ, Li P.Effectiveness of dry needling for myofascial trigger points associated with neck and shoulder pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2015 May;96(5):944-55. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2014.12.015. Epub 2015 Jan 7. Review.

3. Gerber LH, Shah J, Rosenberger W, Armstrong K, Turo D, Otto P, Heimur J, Thaker N, Sikdar S.Dry Needling Alters Trigger Points in the Upper Trapezius Muscle and Reduces Pain in Subjects With Chronic Myofascial Pain. PM R. 2015 Jul;7(7):711-8. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2015.01.020. Epub 2015 Feb 4.

4. Pavkovich R. The use of dry needling for a subject with acute onset of neck pain: a case report. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2015 Feb;10(1):104-13.

5. Mendigutia-Gómez A, Martín-Hernández C, Salom-Moreno J, Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C.Effect of Dry Needling on Spasticity, Shoulder Range of Motion, and Pressure Pain Sensitivity in Patients With Stroke: A Crossover Study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2016 Jun;39(5):348-58. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2016.04.006. Epub 2016 May 7

6. Cagnie B, Barbe T, De Ridder E, Van Oosterwijck J, Cools A, Danneels L.The influence of dry needling of the trapezius muscle on muscle blood flow and oxygenation J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2012 Nov-Dec;35(9):685-91. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2012.10.005