By Paul Travis, PT
Dry needling is a common form of physiotherapy treatment that involves the insertion of thin needles into the skin to target specific muscle groups and areas of pain or discomfort. Using the principles of traditional Chinese acupuncture, the technique has been used for hundreds of years to alleviate chronic pain, improve muscle function, and speed up healing. Physiotherapists utilize dry needling on a variety of injuries that helps to optimize function and improve performance. In particular, dry needling helps release muscle trigger points, which cause pain, stiffness, and weakness, and are commonly associated with chronic conditions like back pain, neck pain, and headaches. Dry needling can be used to improve muscle function and joint mobility.
Earlier in orthopedic medicine specialists traditionally treated trigger points in muscles with corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. Through a variety of studies, utilizing dynamic ultrasound, it has been shown that, an acupuncture needle is capable of releasing a muscular trigger point. Thus, providing an alternative approach to treating active trigger points in the musculoskeletal system. Studies conducted in the late 1970s and early 1980s showed that puncturing musculoskeletal trigger points (painful locations) had a positive effect on pain relief compared to local anesthesia injections. The result of this research coined the term “dry needling” versus “wet needling”.The scientific basis of dry needling is rooted in the understanding of how the body’s nervous and muscular systems interact. A tight or painful muscle is often caused by tension and inflammation. As a result of dry needling, natural pain-relieving chemicals called endorphins are released into the muscle. These endorphins help reduce inflammation and muscle tension, providing immediate relief from pain and discomfort. This leads to promote growth of new tissue and improved blood flow to the affected area.
One of the key benefits of dry needling is its ability to target specific muscle groups, which can be particularly beneficial for people suffering from chronic pain or muscle imbalances. For example, if a person is experiencing pain in their lower back, dry needling can target the specific muscles in that area to help reduce pain and improve function. Similarly, if a person is experiencing pain in their neck or shoulders, dry needling can target the specific muscles in that area to help reduce pain and improve mobility.
In addition to improving muscle function, dry needling can also increase the range of motion. The tightness or pain of a muscle can hinder movement and make everyday tasks more challenging. As a result of releasing tension and inflammation, dry needling improves muscle function, making movement and activity easier. Additionally, dry needling can help to improve the range of motion by stretching the muscles and increasing flexibility.
Dry needling is also a safe and effective treatment option for many conditions. It has been found to be effective in treating a wide range of conditions including neck and back pain, headaches, migraines, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis, among others. It is also commonly used to treat sports injuries, such as strains and sprains, and conditions related to chronic pain, such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Below are common applications for dry needling:
- Muscle pain and stiffness – Dry needling can help to relieve muscle pain and stiffness by targeting trigger points in the affected muscle.
- Tendinitis – Dry needling can help to relieve pain and inflammation associated with tendinitis by targeting trigger points in the affected tendon.
- Headaches – Dry needling can be used to treat tension headaches and migraines by targeting trigger points in the neck and shoulder muscles.
- Joint pain – Dry needling can help to relieve joint pain by targeting trigger points in the surrounding muscles and ligaments.
- Fibromyalgia – Dry needling can help to relieve pain associated with fibromyalgia by targeting trigger points in the affected muscles.
It’s important to note that a trained and licensed professional should only perform dry needling, who will thoroughly assess the patient’s condition and create a personalized treatment plan based on their specific needs. The professional will then use a thin, sterile needle to target specific muscles or areas of pain or discomfort. The treatment is generally well-tolerated; most people experience little or no pain during the procedure.
In conclusion, dry needling is a safe and effective physiotherapy treatment that can help alleviate chronic pain, improve muscle function, and speed up healing. It is based on the principles of traditional Chinese acupuncture and works by stimulating the muscle’s nerve receptors, which in turn triggers a release of natural pain-relieving chemicals. Dry needling is particularly beneficial for people suffering from chronic pain or muscle imbalances, as it can target specific muscle groups and improve muscle function and range of motion. However, it should only be performed by a trained and licensed physiotherapist who will create a personalized treatment plan based on the patient’s specific needs. If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort, it’s worth speaking to your physiotherapist about whether dry needling could be a viable treatment option for you.
