Dry Needling
Hmmm… needles.
It’s good to know “the what, the why and the will it hurt” before you let someone at you with a packet of sharp things.
Let’s explains how dry needling can be a useful tool in body care.
Let’s start with the basics.
Why the term “dry” needling?
Unlike a hollow “wet” needle that gives you an injection or takes blood, these needles aren’t working with fluids so they are solid. They are also tiny thickness, commonly around the 0.22mm diameter. And even though the needles are often the same as used with traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture, the delivery and theory are quite different.
There are two main types of dry needling, superficial and deep.
Superficial Acupuncture-like needling is very comfortable, and it helps like this:
- stimulates blood flow to the area,
- stimulates endorphins,
- stimulates healing process,
- promotes relaxation.
Deep Trigger Point Dry Needling (TDN) can be a little less comfortable, and it works like this:
- A muscle that is chronically over worked will eventually form contractions within the muscle fibers (also known as knots or myo-fascial trigger points)
- TDN identifies these spots through palpation and then releases them with a very fine acupuncture needle
- this works by activating a ‘twitch response’ in the muscle. This is a reflexive involuntary spasm where the muscle contracts and relaxes at a very deep level
- the benefits of TDN are that we can access deeper parts of the muscle and lead to a faster and more complete resolution of symptoms stimulates the sensory-motor cortex in the brain and improves body awareness
Will I feel pain?
Normally you will not feel the needle penetrate the skin. When a muscle is very tight, the twitching can be quite intense. Most people describe the feeling as ‘unusual’ rather than painful, particularly in comparison to the more regular discomfort of hands-on deep tissue massage. After the session you will feel an ache in the muscle that can last few hours and occasionally up to a day or two. As you move around more, the soreness will be less noticeable.
How many sessions of dry needling are typically required?
About 3-4 sessions on average, depending on the chronicity and the underlying biomechanical foundation.
Is there any evidence that this works?
Yes, there is good scientific evidence that dry needling and acupuncture work. There is still some confusion as to the exact mechanisms on how it works. Further research will give us the answers, but it is likely to involve a combination of physical, chemical, hormonal changes, in addition to effects on the peripheral and central nervous system.
After your needling session
- Keep the body moving. Now is the best time to get the blood flowing and flush out the muscle
- hydrate
- use heat if soreness persists
The most important part of your treatment
Dry needling opens up a window of improved flexibility and decreased pain. This is the best time to do the stretches and strengthening exercises your Physio has shown you. Ultimately we’re building better quality movement so you can have better quality of life and do the things that you love and enjoy.
