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Dry Needling is a technique that revolves around the insertion of a sterile, fine filament needle into the muscle to decrease pain and improve function through the release and relaxation of myofascial trigger points. When the needle is inserted into the trigger point, there will be a pool of blood that forms around the needle which aids in triggering the contracted muscle to relax and regain the lengthened formation. The relaxed muscle decompresses the nerves and blood supply, allowing the muscle to receive adequate blood flow and nerve stimulation.
Dry needling alone cannot resolve muscle dysfunction, but it certainly assists in healing and our physiotherapists use it to compliment other physiotherapy techniques to resolve musculoskeletal injuries.
Benefits of Dry Needling include:
- Dry needling offers pain relief via stimulating a local twitch response to release muscle tension
- Enhances muscle regeneration
- Localised stretch of the muscle fibres allowing the muscle to return to resting length
- Electrical polarisation of muscle and connective tissue will trigger tissue remodelling
Studies have shown that dry needling decreases pain and increases pressure pain threshold immediately, and up to 12 weeks following!(1)
(1) Gattie, E., Cleland, J.A. and Snodgrass, S. (2017). The Effectiveness of Trigger Point Dry Needling for Musculoskeletal Conditions by Physical Therapists: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 47(3), pp.133–149. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7096.
Causes of trigger points are:
- Injury that causes the muscle to tighten
- Unexpected or quick movements
- Change in regular muscle loading
- Sustained poor posture i.e., sitting for long periods of time
- Nerve impingement causes muscles to tighten in order to protect the nerve
- Stress
- Illness
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Metabolic or endocrine conditions
Dry Needling is suitable for the following conditions:
- Sports injuries
- Headaches and migraines(2)
- Neck and back pain
- General muscle tightness
- Tennis elbow
- Shin splints
- Sciatic symptoms
- Frozen shoulder
(2) France, S., Bown, J., Nowosilskyj, M., Mott, M., Rand, S. and Walters, J. (2014). Evidence for the use of dry needling and physiotherapy in the management of cervicogenic or tension-type headache: A systematic review. Cephalalgia, 34(12), pp.994–1003. doi:10.1177/0333102414523847.
FAQs:
1. What is the difference between Dry Needling and Acupuncture?
Dry Needling’s primary goal is to reduce pain and restore function through the release of trigger points in the muscle. Acupuncture primarily focuses on restoring the flow of energy through critical points of the body, and therefore restoring balance.
2. What is a myofascial trigger point, and how are they formed?
Myofascial trigger point is colloquially known as a ‘knot’ in the muscle. Trigger points occur when the muscle fibres have shortened due to activation, however they do not lengthen back to normal position in the relaxation state. Sensitive nodules (lumps) also form that cause the remainder of the muscle to tighten and subsequently create a hypersensitivity that compresses the capillaries and nerves. Consequently, the muscle cannot move frequently, receive adequate blood supply, or dispose of waste/toxic products. A trigger point provides discomfort with touch, movement, and stretching.
3. Is Dry Needling painful?
During the treatment, patients may feel a mild sensation due to the insertion and withdrawal of the needle, however there is no discomfort during the procedure. When the needle directly stimulates a trigger point, a brief muscle twitch can occur.
4. Is Dry Needling safe, and if any, what are the side effects?
Dry Needling is safe; however, it is important to remember that everybody responds differently to treatments. Some side effects that may occur are spotting or bruising, fainting, nausea, residual discomfort, or even altered energy levels. However, symptoms should not last longer than 24-48 hours after treatment.
5. Who may not be suited to this treatment?
Patients with areas or limbs with lymphedema should be wary as dry needling in these zones may increase the risk of infection/cellulitis.