What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a highly skilled technique performed by trained practitioners to help manage musculoskeletal injuries, reduce pain, and improve overall movement function. It involves the use of a thin, sterile filiform needle that is carefully inserted into the skin, fascia, and muscle tissue to target specific areas of dysfunction.
This approach is particularly effective in addressing muscle adhesions, trigger points, and tight connective tissue that may be contributing to pain or restricted movement. By stimulating these areas, dry needling helps release muscle tension, improve circulation, and support the body’s natural healing process.
As a result, it can significantly speed up recovery while providing relief from pain by decreasing muscle spasms, increasing joint range of motion, and restoring proper movement patterns. Through the release of trigger points and improvement of muscle function, dry needling plays an important role in correcting movement dysfunction and enhancing overall physical performance.
For many conditions, such as lower back pain, dry needling is often used as a primary treatment to relieve muscle tightness, reduce pain, and improve mobility. When other conditions are present, dry needling can also complement or support medical care by targeting trigger points and addressing the musculoskeletal components associated with the condition.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DRY NEEDLING & ACUPUNCTURE.
Acupuncture is an ancient traditional Chinese technique that utilises the knowledge of meridians. This focus allows an acupuncturist to work on a person’s inner balance and energy. While on the other hand, Dry Needling follows evidence-based research, needling into Myofascial trigger points. The practitioner will Palpate to identify the damaged or sensitive tissues in order to find the best Trigger point to needle. The ultimate goal for Dry needling is to develop a local twitch response in the muscle.
WHAT IS A TRIGGER POINT?
A trigger point is a localized area within the muscle or fascia that becomes hypersensitive and painful due to a reduction in blood flow. When this reduced circulation persists over time, the affected tissue is deprived of oxygen and essential nutrients, causing it to become dysfunctional. As a result, the muscle may feel tight, tender to touch, and can contribute to pain not only in the immediate area but sometimes in surrounding or referred regions. This dysfunction can also limit flexibility and restrict normal movement patterns.
Trigger points commonly develop from everyday habits such as poor posture, prolonged sitting, repetitive movements, or muscle imbalances. However, they can also arise from recreational or sporting activities, especially when muscles are overused, strained, or not given enough time to recover. When a muscle is consistently overloaded, it can reach a point where it is no longer able to handle the stress placed upon it. This often leads to protective muscle spasms, tightening, and the formation of adhesions within the tissue.
WHAT IS A TWITCH RESPONSE?
The twitch response is a localised, reflexive response to a dysfunctional area of soft tissue. When needling a trigger point, this is one of our goals as it leads to a rapid release of a taut muscle band. The twitch response returns the muscle to normal by releasing inflammatory chemicals and restoring blood flow to the area. When a patient has an involuntary twitch response, that suggests that the needle has hit the right spot and the tissue can begin to heal.
IS DRY NEEDLING THERAPY PAINFUL?
Often, patients will experience a mild, dull ache during treatment which can last a few minutes. Some discomfort is also experienced during the rapid ‘twitch response’ but this discomfort is minimal and last only a few seconds. It is also normal to have mild to moderate muscle soreness after dry needling. You can help offset these symptoms by stretching, using heat on the sore muscles and moving your body.
COMMON CONDITIONS TREATED WITH DRY NEEDLING.
Headaches
Neck Pain
Low Back Pain
Knee Pain
Shoulder Dysfunction
Tennis Elbow
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Hip Pain
IT Band Syndrome
Patellofemoral Pain
Medial Tibial Stress
Achilles Tendinopathy
Plantar Fasciitis
Ankle Sprains
Muscle Strains
Get Back to the Life You Love
Feel Better Today Book Your Health Check-Up
$299 $49 Save $250
Google's #1 rated chiropractor in Shellharbour Helped over 32,000 people across Shellharbour, Illawarra and surrounding areas
- Thorough consultation
- X-Rays on-site (If indicated)
- Explanation of results
- Digital Postural Assessment
