What is it?
Dry needling involves inserting fine, sterile needles into muscles, ligaments or tendons. It is a precise and effective method which helps to relieve pain and muscular tension.
Is it the same as acupuncture?
While both involve needles, they are different. Dry needling focuses on the tight muscle and doesn’t follow meridian lines to treat as acupuncture does.
Benefits
Relax tight muscles
Tight muscles caused by training or poor posture develop trigger points and taught bands which cause stiffness and even pain in the muscles. Dry needling involves inserting a thin needle directly into one of these trigger points or bands resulting in a ‘twitch’ response. This signals a release for this muscle, allowing it to relax and return to it’s normal length.
Increase blood flow
Taught bands and trigger points restrict the movement of blood in the muscle. Dry needling is an effective way to release these trigger points and bands and so increases blood flow
Decrease pain and release neurotransmitters
Dry needling may trigger the release of opiate peptides like beta-endorphins, enkephalins and dynorphins which help block transmission of pain information to the brain
Improve movement
As mentioned above, dry needling allows muscles to relax, increases blood flow and decreases pain. This results in an increased range of motion and an increase in flexibility.
Treat chronic pain
Dry needling is used in the treatment of many long term injuries and conditions including like shoulder pain, back pain, neck pain, headaches, plantar fasciitis, tennis/golf elbow and sciatica