There is also likely to be lower risk of traumatic side effects, particularly in anticoagulated patients. Since patient safety and comfort should be prime considerations in choice of needling therapy for myofascial pain,29 SDN followed by active stretching is an appropriate treatment choice. Physiotherapists and general practitioners practising acupuncture are well placed to deliver this treatment, which if provided in a primary care setting, may well help prevent the development of chronic pain and dysfunction.