Dry needling is a fast and effective treatment aiming to relieve pain and advance recovery. It makes use of a needle similar to those used in Acupuncture. It involves assessment and identification of a tight knot in the muscle (known as Trigger points). The needle is inserted into the trigger point to achieve a ‘Twitch Response’. The twitch is like a small muscle cramp and is the aim of the treatment. The twitch is very short lasting and patients soon learn to recognise this sensation as therapeutic.
Dry needling improves the communication between the nerve and muscle. Research has shown that after a twitch response there is a change in the local chemical environment as well as a greater ability for the muscle to contract or activate.
Possible side effects:
These side effects are most often temporary and normally well tolerated by most people. Typically we avoid needling the same area/muscle again for approximately 5 days after treatment. Dry Needling may be used as a stand-alone treatment or used in conjunction with other interventions. The needles used are very thin and most patients do not feel them enter the muscle. It can serve as an excellent option for the treatment of trigger points.
