What is Dry Needling?
Dry Needling is the treatment of pain using acupuncture needle
Which conditions respond well to Dry Needling therapy?
Muscles are almost always involved in the most common physical injuries, Dry Needling can help with conditions such as low back pain, neck pain, tension headaches, shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow, knee pain, ankle sprains, post exercise muscle soreness, plantar fasciitis, muscle tension/strains & joint stiffness.
Dry needling is a technique that uses fine needles to target myofascial trigger points. Myofascial trigger points, often referred to as “trigger points”, are localised and hypersensitive nodules in muscles that can cause pain, discomfort, and referred sensations.
These points are characterised by taut bands of muscle fibres that are more sensitive and tense than the surrounding tissue. When pressure is applied to these trigger points, it can cause pain at the site or in other parts of the body, this is known as referred pain. Myofascial trigger points are commonly associated with muscle overuse, injuries, stress, poor posture, and other factors that can lead to muscle tension and dysfunction.
How does it work?
Dry needling technique involves placing needles into these trigger points in order to reduce pain, relaxing muscle fibres, reduce & restoring normal function. It has wide ranging effects including improving joint mobility, restoring muscle strength, reducing muscle pain & even reducing inflamed soft tissues following acute injuries.
What if I don’t like needles?
For individuals uncomfortable with needles, our therapists are adept at delivering effective dry needling treatment with minimal intervention. Various options are available to moderate pain arising from dry needling, including adjusting the diameter of the needles, depth of insertion, delivery method, duration of insertion, and the type of needle. Rest assured, all acupuncture needles used are of the highest quality, sterile, and single-us
What’s the difference between Dry Needling & Acupuncture?
Both Dry Needling & Acupuncture use a fine filament needle or Acupuncture needle. However, Dry Needle is used to treat muscle pain & Acupuncture is used to treat general health conditions.
How will I feel after Dry Needling Therapy?
Most patients will respond very favourably to Dry Needling therapy. In the same way that you feel a degree of soreness after a manual therapy treatment you may also feel sore after Dry Needling. However the soreness should only last for 12-24 hours.
Is Dry Needling safe?
Dry Needling is very safe. In a study (Brady et al. 2013) of 7629 treatments which recorded the possible adverse events related to using Dry Needling, it was found that Dry Needling had a very low percentage of serious outcomes (0.04%) as compared with the possible serious adverse reactions resulting form taking Aspirin (18.7%) &
Ibuprofen (13.7%).
Can I refuse to have needling & request another treatment option?
Yes. After taking a full case history and examining the area of your pain or discomfort, your therapist will discuss the best treatment options for your particular presentation. Before proceeding with any treatment we will ask your written & verbal consent before we commence your treatment plan.
See if dry needling can help you today.
How does Dry Needling work?
1) Precise Disruption
Precise Disruption: By inserting fine needles directly into myofascial trigger points, dry needling disrupts tense muscle fibres and help to break the cycle of muscle dysfunction and pain.
2) Neurological Stimulation
The needle's presence in the tissue stimulates sensory nerves. This stimulation can prompt the release of endorphins, releasing natural pain-relievers and reducing pain sensitivity.
3) Enhanced Blood Flow
The needle insertion causes small-scale tissue trauma and triggers an inflammatory response. This increases blood flow to the needled area, delivers vital oxygen, nutrients and immune cells that promote healing.
4) Tension Release
The mechanical action of the needle assists in breaking up adhesions and scar tissue within muscles and surrounding tissues. This can lead to increased muscle flexibility, a wider range of motion and improved overall muscle function.
5) Neurological Resetting
The local twitch response initiated by dry needling can effectively "reset" dysfunctional nerve-muscle pathways. This helps disrupt pain signals and reset muscle patterns, leading to improved function and reduced pain over time.
6) Long-Lasting Benefits:
Dry needling isn't just about immediate relief. The tissue healing and remodelling triggered by the process can result in lasting improvements in muscle function and pain reduction.