Dry Needling
Discover how Dry Needling could help you...
You might call it a tight muscle, you might call it a knot, and it can cause more widespread pain and not just in the muscle in which it's found. It might trigger a pain in another region. Another name for this type of pain is myofascial trigger point or myofascial pain syndrome.
What is a myofascial trigger point?
A myofascial trigger point, or “knot” is an area of muscle spasm or irritability. They can form due to improper use of a muscle, either micro-traumatically in the case of poor posture, or due to trauma such as fall or a sports injury.
As a trigger point forms, it can cause pain and reduced function of the involved muscle. As a trigger point worsens, it may even begin to refer pain into other areas of your body, such as down your arm or leg, into your neck, or cause a headache.
What is dry needling?
Dry needling is a muscle release treatment involving the insertion of very fine needles into the skin and muscle to target and release trigger points. As well as muscle release, dry needling also improves blood supply to the area, which stimulates the healing process and flushes away the trapped accumulation of muscle waste toxins, such as calcium and lactic acid.
The process can induce a muscular twitch response or localised soreness until the muscle fibres relax. It is normal to have some soreness from a muscle after dry needling as the body heals from both your presenting complaint and also from the treatment.
Dry needling is performed by skilled healthcare providers with a certification in the technique.
Dry needling is most effective when used in conjunction with manual physical therapy and home exercise prescription, both of which are included in an appointment at Backbone Wellness Clinic.
Benefits of dry needling
Reduce muscle pain and stiffness
Reduce muscle spasm
Improve range of motion and flexibility
Improve muscle function
Conditions
• Muscle pain
• Sciatica
• Repetitive strain injuries (ie tennis elbow, shin splints)
• Shoulder pain and rotator cuff dysfunction
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic pain conditions
Looking for Dry Needle Expert?
Dr Laura Nicklette
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Dry Needling & Research?
Dry needling in the management of myofascial trigger points: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Trigger point dry needling for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome: current perspectives within a pain neuroscience paradigm
A History of Dry Needling
LINK - Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain
Effectiveness of trigger point dry needling for multiple body regions: a systematic review
LINK - Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy
Dry Needling vs Acupuncture: Which Is Right For You?