Dry needling is an effective therapeutic intervention where a filament needle is used to release tight bands in muscles called trigger points, also known as knots. These knots can be painful with pressure, can refer pain over larger areas, and can also cause movement dysfunctions, which will lead to difficulty performing everyday tasks. Once inserted, the needle is advanced several times in and around the tight band to create what’s called a “twitch response” or as we describe it, a release of the muscle. Think of it as resetting the muscle, or when we quickly want to reboot our computers and we use ALT+CTRL+DEL. The needling technique is called “dry” because treatment of myofascial dysfunction was first discovered and treated using a “wet needling” (injection with anesthetic) method and has evolved to the solid filament needles we use today.
The needles that are used are very thin and most patients will not even feel the needle penetrating through the skin initially, but once it advances into the muscle, the discomfort can vary from patient to patient. Usually a healthy muscle feels very little discomfort upon insertion of the needle. However, if the muscle is sensitive and shortened or contains active trigger points, the client may feel a sensation much like a muscle cramp, which is the “twitch response” mentioned earlier.
You may feel some soreness or heaviness immediately after treatment in the area that was treated and that can last up to a day. Some clients may even feel tired/fatigued, energized, giddy or “out of it” after treatment.
Although some people refer to trigger point dry needling as a form of acupuncture, it did not originate as part of the practice of traditional Chinese acupuncture. The similarity begins and ends at the tool, which is the needle used. The differences are evident in the evaluative tools, the assessment, the application, and the overall treatment goal. With dry needling, there are distinct anatomical locations for myofascial trigger points within muscle tissue and the overall goal being to restore function, whereas acupuncture have point specificity on the body and the overall goal is to restore normal flow of energy.
Typically, positive results are apparent within 2-4 treatment sessions, but can vary depending on the cause and duration of the symptoms and overall health of the patient. Dry needling is an effective treatment for acute and chronic pain, rehabilitation from injury, and even pain and injury prevention, with very few side effects. This technique is unequaled in finding and eliminating neuromuscular dysfunction that leads to pain and functional deficits.
Would dry needling be something that you would ever consider trying to provide pain relief?
Jason Bellefleur, Physiotherapist
Owner of Bellefleur Physiotherapy
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The Advanced Physio Equipment Experts |
