While the name of the procedure may sound intimidating, dry needling is safe, minimally discomforting and often a highly effective technique for patients with certain musculoskeletal presentations. Dry needling is a treatment performed by skilled, trained physical therapists, certified in the procedure. A thin monofilament needle penetrates the skin and treats underlying muscular trigger points for the management of neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments.
So, what is a trigger point? A trigger point is a local contracture or tight band in a muscle fibre that can disrupt function, restrict range of motion, refer pain or cause local tenderness. When dry needling is applied to a dysfunctional muscle or trigger point, it can decrease tightness, increase blood flow, and reduce local and referred pain.
It is important to note dry needling is not the same as acupuncture. It uses similar tools, but that ’s where the similarities end. Acupuncture is based on Eastern medicine, while dry needling is rooted in Western medicine and evaluation of pain patterns, posture, movement impairments, function and orthopaedic tests.
Dry needling treats muscle tissue, and its goal is to reduce pain, inactivate trigger points and restore function. It is rarely performed as a standalone procedure. Rather, it is often part of a broader physical therapy approach incorporating other traditional physical therapy interventions into treatment.
Dry needling can be used for a wide variety of musculoskeletal issues, such as shoulder, neck, heel, hip and back pain. Research indicates dry needling is a safe and effective approach for treating and managing pain.
Contact us today to find out more about dry needling.