Dry Needling
What is dry needling?
Dry needling is a technique where fine stainless-steel needles (known as filiform needles) are inserted into the skin and muscle at certain myofascial trigger points. These trigger points are found in taut bands of muscular tissue within the body, and correspond with pain in different parts of the body.
Dry needling is so called because the needles used do not inject any kind of fluid or medicine into the body and alleviate muscular pain and myofascial dysfunction.
Who can benefit from dry needling?
Dry needling is commonly used as part of a physical therapy regime to provide pain relief to individuals who suffer from muscle pain. This may result from a repetitive overuse or other type of injury, or another acute or chronic musculoskeletal condition.
Dry needling is not suitable for people with lymphedema, cancer, hepatitis, HIV, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or a metal allergy. It is also not advisable for women who are pregnant, or people who are taking blood thinners. It also may not be recommended for people who suffer from a needle phobia.
What does dry needling involve?
During dry needling, your practitioner will insert thin needles into the skin and muscle in certain trigger points. The stimulation of these trigger points is thought to have an analgesic, or pain relieving, effect.
Often, a local twitch response will occur during dry needling. This is an involuntary reflex that causes the fibres within the muscle to contract. This occurs when a needle is placed correctly into the trigger point.
Once inserted, the needle will usually be left in place for a short time. Usually, this will be for between five and fifteen minutes.
What are the benefits of dry needling?
Dry needling may be used to treat and provide pain relief for repetitive overuse injuries, other types of muscular injuries, and acute or chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
These include tennis or golfer’s elbow, headaches and migraines, sciatica, tendonitis, spasms, muscle strains and tears, whiplash, joint problems. Individuals with back pain, hip pain, knee pain, neck pain, or other types of muscle pain may also benefit from dry needling.
In individuals with these conditions, dry needling can help to:
- Reduce pain
- Increase flexibility, mobility, and range of movement
- Expedite recovery from injury
- Alleviate tightness and stiffness
- Decrease inflammation
How can I get started with dry needling?
Dry needling is just one of the therapies we use to treat muscular pain at Chiro & Integrative Therapies. We are based in Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.
To find out more about how dry needling can help you, give us a call today on (07) 5607 0161.
FAQs
Does dry needling hurt?
Because the filiform needles used during dry needling are very thin, the insertion of the needle itself is normally relatively pain-free.
However, you may experience some mild muscle soreness, aching, or bruising for a couple of days after the treatment. All of these are common side effects of this type of treatment.
Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
No. It is important to recognise the differences between dry needling and acupuncture, which is a type of traditional Chinese medicine.
Although both involve the insertion of fine needles, acupuncture is intended to align the body’s energy flow, whereas dry needling aims to release muscle knots and pressure points.
Is dry needling safe?
When performed by a skilled and experienced practitioner, dry needling is incredibly safe.
Our chiropractor is qualified in performing dry needling and has completed extensive training in anatomy, physiology, and dry needling trigger points to ensure that it is performed at the highest standards of safety.
How long does dry needling therapy take?
Typically dry needling is applied to the area of complaint before the chiropractor administers spinal or joint therapy. Dry needling usually takes no longer than 10 minutes.
How many dry needling sessions will I need?
This is determined on a case by case basis. Your chiropractor will sit down and discuss this in further detail with you.