What is Dry Needling?

You may have heard of it, but what on earth is dry needling?

Dry needling is an effective treatment for myofascial muscular pain.

Dry needling stimulates muscle trigger points with fine filament needles to reduce muscular pain and dysfunction.

Dry needling effectively treats both acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions.

It is effective for everybody, whether you’re an athlete or an office worker!

When is it Appropriate to Use Dry Needling as a form of treatment?

Dry Needling can be used in treatment:

- to help release myofascial trigger points (muscle knots);

- to assist with pain management, and;

- to restore movement to a joint if it is inhibited by myofascial trigger points.

How does Dry Needling Work?

When a fine filament needle is inserted into the centre of a myofascial trigger point, it promotes blood flow, which triggers the contracted muscle fibres to relax. It also provides those muscle fibres with fresh oxygen and nutrients, as well as by flushing away any toxins.

This allows the muscle to lengthen and shorten normally as the trigger points are released. This in turn will decrease muscular pain and improve function.

What is the Difference Between Dry Needling and Acupuncture?

Dry Needling is not the same as acupuncture, although they use the same needles, there are differences between the two techniques. The main difference between Dry Needling and acupuncture are the theories behind the two techniques. Dry Needling is primarily focused on the reduction of pain and restoration of function through the release of myofascial trigger points in the muscle. Whereas, acupuncture focuses on the treatment of medical conditions by restoring the flow of energy (Qi) through key points in the body meridians, as per Chinese Medicine studies.

If dry needling sounds like something that interests you, or you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask when you are next in the clinic.

Yours in health,

Dr Emily-Rose Finnigan

*references available on request