Dry Needling is an effective and efficient technique for the treatment of muscular pain and myofascial dysfunction. It is very effective for relaxing overactive muscles containing trigger points. Dry Needling uses the same needles as acupuncture, however the theory behind both modalities is different.
Although this treatment is relatively pain-free, a slight pinching feeling may be felt when the fine needles are inserted into the affected trigger points. A trigger point is a tender spot that is located within a tight band of muscle, which can cause an individual pain when it is pressed or squeezed.
How can Dry Needling reduce pain and improve function?
The extremely small injuries that are created as a result of the needle being inserted into the skin may bring about a local healing response in the dysfunctional, painful tissue, effectively improving normal function through the body’s intrinsic and natural healing process. Furthermore, Dry Needling is able to stimulate neural pathways which blocks pain by disrupting pain messages being sent to the central nervous system.
Conditions that can be treated
Dry Needling has been proven to help the following conditions (just to name a few):
- Chronic pain conditions
- Lower back pain
- Neck, shoulder and jaw tension
- Athletic and sports-related overuse injuries
- Headaches
- Knee or elbow pain
What to expect during a treatment
In the treatment of trigger points for people with myofascial pain, acupuncture needles are inserted into the skin and muscles directly at the trigger point. This will elicit a local twitch response which indicates the correct placement of the needle in the trigger point. Needles are only left in for a few minutes before being removed. Treatment can be followed up with massage to the area.
If you would like more information, please contact Gen or to book now using the Make an Appointment button.