From:  Acute management of recurrent exercise-associated muscle spasms via dry needling in a Division I basketball athlete: a case report

 Timeline of events and management.

DateDescriptionSummary
03/06/2026Day 1: Game #1—initial injuryAthlete presented with an in-game injury and was removed from play for off-court evaluation.
03/06/2026Day 1: return to play (RTP) post initial treatmentAthlete was evaluated and treated with manual therapy techniques and rehydration efforts.
03/06/2026Day 1: Recurrent injuryAthlete returned to the game and sustained a recurrent injury within 10 minutes of the first episode. Athlete was removed from gameplay for the remainder of the game.
03/06/2026Day 1: Acute management < 5 hours post initial injuryWithin 5 hours post-competition, the athlete was treated with dry needling, manual therapy, rehydration, therapeutic exercise, and taping/compression techniques.
03/06/2026Day 1: Treatment < 12 hours post initial injuryWithin 12 hours post-competition, a 2nd round of manual therapy, rehydration, therapeutic exercise, and taping/compression techniques were administered.
03/07/2026Day 2: Morning evaluationAthlete was evaluated in the morning for clearance to participate in 2nd competition. Athlete was cleared for gameplay, with monitoring of warm-ups for any changes in symptoms or function.
03/07/2026Day 2: Morning treatmentAthlete was treated with a round of manual therapy and taping/compression techniques. Hydration levels were monitored.
03/07/2026Day 2: Game #2Athlete was able to play expected volume in game #2. Modified pre-game warm-up; added cycling and moved active/dynamic warm-up closer to game start to avoid cooling down
03/07/2026Day 2: Post-game treatmentAthlete underwent a round of dry needling, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercise within 8 hours of competition.
03/08/2026Day 3: Game #3Athlete was able to play game #3 without restrictions in performance.
03/09/2026Post game #3Athlete showed no symptoms of lingering injury or side effects from treatment and repeated competition in a short time period.
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