What is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a modern, western medical intervention using an anatomical approach to guide needle placements, with the aim of restoring normal tissue function and reducing pain caused by musculoskeletal dysfunction and associated pain syndromes.

The technique involves insertion of single sterile fine needles into dysfunctional fascia or muscle with the aim to find, treat and resolve myofascial trigger points (taut contracted bands of muscle fibres which cause pain and dysfunction). The needles are inserted without any substance being injected into the muscle (hence the term ‘dry’). The needles encourage the relaxation of overactive muscles and can help restore the function of underactive muscles by stimulating neuromuscular pathways. As well as treating musculoskeletal dysfunction, myofascial dry needling can benefit clients suffering from neurological conditions as well, such as MS, fibromyalgia and complex pain syndromes.

Dry needling has two effects on the muscles. The needles stimulate stretch receptors within a muscles and produce a reflex relaxation or lengthening. The needles also cause micro-trauma within the muscle which stimulates blood flow and initiates healing process

What is Dry Needling used for?

Dry needling is becoming a more common technique applied by health professional to target concerns such as:

• Muscle pain
• Muscle spasm
• Hip and knee pain
• Gluteal or piriformis pain/dysfunction
• Acute and chronic back pain
• Neck pain and related headaches
• Tennis and/or Golfers elbow
• Shoulder pain/dysfunction
• Shin splints and/or plantar fascitis
• Fibromyalgia
• Complex pain syndromes

Dry needling can be used as a standalone treatment however, it is most often used within Osteopathy and Myotherapy treatments.

Benefits of Dry Needling

Therapeutic dry needling application with your Osteopath or Myotherapist can result in:

• Decreased pain both acute and chronic
• Decreased muscle tension
• Increased flexibility
• Trigger point reduction
• Increase neuromuscular function
• Increase injury recovery

Dry needling can be beneficial in the resolution of your aches and pain not only in the short term, but complement your management plan in the long term.