What is Dry Needling?
Dry Needling is a modality used in Myotherapy where an acupuncture needle is inserted into the skin and muscle directly at a myofascial trigger point. A myofascial trigger point is a knot found in the muscle which can cause local or referred pain. This is normally due to neuromuscular dysfunction or musculoskeletal stress caused in this area.
What is the difference between Dry Needling and Acupuncture?
Dry needling is strictly based on Western Medicine and is used in the management of musculoskeletal and sports injuries. It is used to release the trigger points of the muscles. Whereas an acupuncturist will insert the acupuncture needle in the meridian points which is treated for certain conditions but still very effective.
How Does Dry Needling work?
The acupuncture needle is inserted into the trigger point and leaving it in for 2-10minutes. Once the needle is in the trigger point of the muscle we may need to twist or flick the needle to reproduce the pain you have been feeling. This helps to deactivate the trigger point in this muscle and get it stimulated.
The patient may experience a dull ache or heaviness when the needle is in however this is normally a good response as it is working on the trigger point.
All the needles used are single use needles, all individually wrapped and sterile. Alcohol swabs are used before and after the needles are inserted to prevent any bacterial infection.
What type of problems can be treated?
Dry needling can be treated for many musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction such as neck, back, shoulder, arm, glute, and hamstring or calf pain. It can be treated for conditions such as tennis and golfers elbow, rotator cuff injuries, migraines and tension headaches, glute pain or sciatic pain, calf spasms or tightness and plantar fasciitis. The treatment of muscles has the greatest effect on reducing pain mechanisms in the nervous system.
What side effects can be expected after the treatment?
Mild soreness is expected after the treatment. The soreness is described as muscles soreness over the area treated and some referral pain from where the needles have inserted into those trigger points. The soreness can last from a few hours to a couple of days.
How you can help reduce the amount of soreness and pain in the area is to apply heat or ice over the affected area for 10 minutes, some gentle stretches and modifying your exercise for a couple of days.
If you would like to book in for dry needling, please call the clinic on 08 8941 0810 to book a treatment with our Myotherapist
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