Physiotherapist In Leamington Spa Warwick, Coventry, Kenilworth

What is dry needling?

 

Dry Needling is the use of solid filament needles inserted through the skin and into the muscle to release painful myofascial trigger points. Dry needling results in the deep tissue release allowing for improvements in movement and pain. It is called “Dry” Needling because there is no solution injected as with a hypodermic needle during a flu shot. 

The application of needles can be used to treat a variety of conditions such as:

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• Neck/Back Pain                              

• Knee Pain

• Achilles Tendonitis/Tendonosis

• Plantar Fasciitis

• Sciatica

• Muscular Strains/Ligament Sprains​

• Shoulder Pain

• Tennis/Golfers Elbow

• Headaches

• Hip and Gluteal Pain

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What happens during a dry cupping appointment? 

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During dry needling a small, solid filament needle is inserted into a contracted painful knotted muscle to create a local twitch reflex which is both diagnostic and therapeutic as it is the first step in breaking the pain cycle. The needle will be kept in place for anything between 2-15mins and then when the needle is withdrawn from the skin pressure is then applied directly to the skin over the insertion in order to aid in the prevention of possible swelling or soreness.

How does Dry Needling work? 

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When a needle is inserted into muscle it will also produce a controlled lesion and will cut between three to fifteen thousand individual muscle fibers. The body considers the needle as a foreign invader and will activate the immune system as a response. The cut muscle fibers also produce an inflammatory reaction that your body will respond to not just locally but all over the body to reduce inflammation systemically.

 

In summary:

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* Dry needling is a common treatment technique in manual physical therapy.

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* Dry needling involves a very thin needle being pushed through the skin in order to stimulate a trigger point that causes pain and disability.

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* During a dry needling session, the needle penetrates the trigger point, which is known when there is a local twitch response. This response suggests that the trigger point is being stimulated and there will be a therapeutic response.

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* Dry needling is a safe and effective treatment option for patients who are not afraid of needles.

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* Patients who undergo dry needling will see benefits in range of motion and joint use right away. Sometimes several sessions are necessary in order to fully eliminate the trigger point.

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