What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is primarily directed at Trigger Points (TrP’s). A trigger point is a hyper-irritable spot or sensitive area in the muscle or connective tissue (fascia) that become painful when compressed and can refer pain to other areas of the body. Dry needling involves insertion of an acupuncture needle into these trigger points to release the muscle tightness. The aim of dry needling is to work on the neuromuscular system helping to reduce pain, muscular tension and in turn increase the patients range of movement so that they can get back to doing the activities they enjoy doing most.
Dry needling is also referred to as medical acupuncture, or trigger point dry needling.
What is the difference between dry needling and acupuncture?
Whilst dry needling and acupuncture both involve a dry needle penetrating the skin, their intent is very different.
Acupuncture originates from China and aims to manipulate the flow of Qi (energy) within the body to heal a variety of conditions and medical complaints. Dry needling however follows evidence based guidelines, and works on the musculoskeletal system to target certain locations within the body to improve range of movement and stimulate blood flow.
What does dry needling treat?
Dry needling can be used to treat a wide number of ailments and some of the most common complaints for which dry needling is used is to treat are; wry neck, neck and shoulder pain, lower back pain, low back pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee issues and general muscle tightness.
Generally the majority of clients do not find dry needling painful, but each of us is very different and this means of tolerance of discomfort and pain is different too. It can also depend upon the amount of muscular tension being held in your body.