Dry needling at Core Clinic in Albany on the North Shore
Dry needling is a process that uses tiny acupuncture needles inserted into “myofascial trigger points” found in the muscles; loosening them and often providing almost instant relief from tension and pain.
This treatment is a useful add-on to massage or as a stand-alone treatment to provide quick relief from muscle pain and soreness and to help muscles relax.
How does it work?
- Dry needling of muscular trigger points causes relaxation through disruption of the motor endplate and ‘releasing’ the tight muscle fibre.
- Tiny injuries created by the needle insertion also cause a local healing response in the dysfunctional, painful tissue, which restores normal function through the natural healing process.
- Dry needling stimulates neural pathways which blocks pain by disrupting pain messages being sent to the central nervous system.
Is it safe?
Dry needling is a very safe treatment. Only individually packaged, single use, sterile needles are used. The needles are very fine, and very rarely does any bleeding or bruising occur at the insertion site.
Does it hurt?
Generally, needle insertion is not felt. The local twitch response or sudden slight contraction of the muscle may provoke a very brief pain response. A therapeutic response occurs with the elicitation of local twitch responses and that is a good and desirable reaction. During and following treatment patients commonly experience heaviness in the limbs or a pleasant feeling or relaxation. Following this technique some muscle soreness may be felt up to 24 to 48 hours.
Is it for me?
Dry needling can be a very effective adjunctive treatment, though it is important to remember that dry needling is only one part of the treatment component. It is likely that your physiotherapist will also address underlying bio-mechanical imbalances, postural dysfunction, muscular inflexibility, strength deficits, and swollen or stiff joints.
Book an appointment with one of our physios at our Albany clinic. We can talk to you about dry needling and what other treatments you may benefit from.
