THE BENEFITS OF DRY NEEDLING

Whenever I suggest Dry Needling as part of a treatment the first question I get asked is “how big are the needles exactly.”

Most patients assume by needle I mean knife and associate the whole process with pain, but the truth of the matter is that Dry Needling is a very effective technique used to treat trigger points (knots) and release muscle tension.

What is Dry Needling you say?

It is a process which involves the insertion of ultrafine filament needles (acupuncture needles) into muscles in order to alleviate pain and stimulate healing. The filiform needle is inserted directly into the myofascial trigger point which acts to increase circulation and thus speed up the repair of the surrounding tissue.

Is it painful?

Because the needles themselves are so thin, the feeling experienced is usually gentle pressure and insertion rather than pain. The muscle may contract slightly, this is known as the “twitch response” which indicates they’ve hit the exact point and they’re in the precise location for the treatment. Most patients describe the feeling as a sort of cramping sensation when the needle reaches the trigger point (knot), but it usually comes and goes very quickly and is followed by a heavy, relaxed sensation.

Is it the same as Acupuncture?

Although they both use filiform needles at precise points in your body they differ in many ways.

Acupuncture is the precise placement of needles to correct the body’s vital flow of energy to help with illness or pain. The goal of placing needles into acupuncture points is to direct the healing response and restore physical, emotional and mental balance. An example is that if you were experiencing lower back pain you wouldn’t necessarily have needling done in that area, you might have needles placed in your foot, hand and even your ear.

Dry Needling differs by getting straight to the source of your pain, by placing the needle directly into the area of myofascial pain caused by restrictions of your muscle tissue or connective tissue (fascia) that surrounds and supports the muscle. A Chiropractor can identify the knots or bands that are causing you problems and place needles accurately to help reduce your pain.

TIPS FOR AFTER YOUR DRY NEEDLING SESSION:

• It is quite common to feel like you’ve run a mile or lifted weights after a dry needling session. This sense of stiffness and fatigue generally resolves within 24 hours and will have you feeling better the new. You can help reduce this stiffness with heat and gentle stretching.

• Drink plenty of water. It’s important to stay hydrated in the days following dry needling treatment. Hydration is another way to avoid or reduce sore muscles from your session.

• Massage your muscles. Massage is another trigger point therapy used to break tension in muscles. Give your taut muscles a gentle massage to continue stimulating the tissues to help resolve the soreness and pain.

• Stretching is also beneficial in helping relieve tension and maintain muscle health. Remember when stretching the “no pain no gain” rule does not apply. Pain is the body’s way of saying something is wrong, when stretching you want to feel a slight pull and hold it until you feel it release.

Cheers,

Team Hughes Chiropractic

(Blog post is written from a combination of my experiences and the various research I have read over time).