To the average person Dry Needling and Acupuncture look very similar. Thin metal needles are inserted into the body at various points to stimulate a response. The term “dry” is used as the needles do not inject any fluid into the tissues.
How does Dry Needling Work?
Dry Needling is a very modern technique where a thin metal (Acupuncture needle) is inserted into muscular trigger points (muscular knots). The treatment is designed to ease muscular pain and relieve muscular tightness.
Dry Needling can be used on any condition that has a muscular component. Dry Needling stimulates the body’s own healing by improving circulation, changing the chemical balance in our tissues and simulating changes to neural pathways.
Who can have Dry Needling
Dry Needling can be used on just about anybody who is able to give informed consent. This would preclude young children from having dry needling. Women in their first trimester of pregnancy should also avoid Dry Needling.
Dry Needling Technique
Your physiotherapist will thoroughly assess and diagnose which muscles are contributing to your pain and may elect to perform Dry Needling on those specific muscles. Dry Needling will be offered as an adjunct to other treatment modalities such as soft tissue release joint mobilisation, muscle stretching and strengthening exercises.
Your physiotherapist will insert sterile needles into the specific active trigger points (muscle knots). A physiotherapist may then leave that needle in place for a small period of time or may even move the needle in and out through the tissues to stimulate larger areas of muscle. The physiotherapist will talk you through this process and explain things in a step-by-step way. You may feel a twitch or a small electrical impulse in your muscle, this may or may not be accompanied by a heavy feeling in the muscle.
Benefits of Dry Needing
Dry Needling is extremely safe when performed by trained and experienced practitioner such as a physiotherapist. The common side effects are temporary muscular soreness, bruising and a small amount of bleeding.
You will often see very rapid changes (commonly within 24 hours) to your pain levels and muscular function with Dry Needling. These changes tend to “wear off” and it often takes a few treatments to see a lasting benefit.
Many of our patients report improved sleep quality and length of sleep after a session of dry needling.
Are There risks to dry needling?
As stated above dry needling is very safe when performed by an experienced practitioner. The main side effects are temporary muscular soreness bruising and a small amount of bleeding. Sterile needles and sterile technique are used to minimise any infection risk. The risk of serious complication is extremely low.
Overall Dry Needling is a very safe and effective technique to treat muscular tightness and dysfunction. If you have any questions about Dry Needling, please get in touch with the team here at Peakhurst Physio.
How Do I access Dry needling?
All of our Physiotherapists are trained and experienced with Dry Needling. We are located in Park Street and service Peakhurst, Lugarno, Peakhurst Heights and all surrounding areas
