Trigger Points Dry Needling is a treatment technique using fine needles inserted into painful knots in muscles to help decrease pain, improve mobility and function. Muscle tension and spasms are common with conditions as muscle strain and injuries, tension-headaches, lower back pain and osteo arthritis.
What is a Myofascial Trigger Point?
Myofascial Trigger Points MTrPs are hyperirritable knots within a muscle. The hypersensitive nodules can be palpated within the muscle fibres.
The tight band within the muscle can trigger pain locally or refer pain further away leading to discomfort, loss of mobility and function.
As for an example, if trigger points are present within the trapezius muscle (very large muscle in the Neck), you can experience neck pain as well as headaches, shoulder or upper back
What is Dry needling?
Dry Needling uses sterile, single-use, very thin needles (acupuncture needles) inserted into the skin and the tight muscle band. It is “Dry” as no medication is injected into the body.
Dry needling within a Trigger Point is used to help relieve pain, relax and lengthen tight muscles. It can release the compression of nerves and blood vessels that supply the muscle. The aim is to help reduce pain, restore mobility and overall function by releasing the Myofascial Trigger Point.
What conditions can Dry Needling assist?
Dry Needling can be used for conditions as:
- Muscle spasms and strains
- Acute and Overuse muscle injuries
- Repeated strain injuries
- Tension-type Headaches
- Neck & Back pain
- Sciatica
- Joint pain
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tendinopathy as Tennis Elbow, Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITB)
Is Dry Needling Safe? What are the side effects of Dry Needling?
Dry Needling is generally a safe technique.
Your Physiotherapist or Osteopath trained in Dry Needling will explain the associated risks and discuss if this treatment is suitable according to your condition and medical history.
When the needle is inserted into your body, you will feel a small pinprick and possibly also a muscle twitch response. These are all normal with positive outcomes for symptom-relief. Patients may also experience post-treatment soreness, but this usually resolve within 24-48hrs following treatment.
As Dry Needling is a minimally invasive treatment, there are some risks associated with this technique as local bleeding, bruising, infection and pain. The use of single-wrapped-sterilised needles reduce the chance of infection. Serious adverse events from dry needling are very rare.
When do we use Dry Needling at Physio for All?
At Physio For All we have physiotherapists who have undergone extra training and are qualified to provide Dry Needling.
Our multi-disciplinary team rely on evidence-based practice for the treatment of our patient’s problems. Therefore, dry needling is only one of the many services that we have to offer. It should be seen as part of your overall treatment and can be used in conjunction with other manual/manipulative techniques, taping, electrotherapy and/or rehabilitative exercises to restore function and decrease symptoms.
