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What is dry needling?
Dry needling is a therapeutic technique used by osteopaths to help treat musculoskeletal pain and movement impairments. It involves inserting a hair-thin needle into a specific trigger point (also known as a knot) in the muscle, which can help relieve tension, reduce pain, and improve range of motion. The technique is based on Western medicine principles and is distinct from acupuncture, which is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine.
What are the benefits of dry needling?
Dry needling offers many potential benefits, including:
Pain Relief: It can reduce muscle pain and discomfort by targeting trigger points.
Improved Range of Motion: By releasing tight muscles, it can enhance flexibility and mobility.
Muscle Relaxation: The technique helps decrease muscle tension and spasms.
Reduced Inflammation: Dry needling may promote healing by improving blood flow and reducing inflammation in injured areas
Faster Recovery: It can accelerate recovery from injuries or intense physical activity.
Enhanced Functionality: Patients often experience improved overall function in daily activities and sports.
What is the science behind dry needling?
The science behind dry needling involves several mechanisms that contribute to its therapeutic effects:
There are effects both peripherally and centrally to the nervous system. We need to understand WHY a trigger point has occurred in the first place. A trigger point is a taut nodule, or a hypersensitive point in the muscle, that has come about due to trauma or overload. Placing the needle into the trigger point causes a neurological feedback loop and causes a chemical inflammatory mechanism to the muscle for relaxation to occur at the local level, allowing the muscle to relax. It stimulates the muscle to “twitch” so that the subsequent relaxation loop can happen.
Its secondary role is to affect pain and inflammation and increase blood flow. Due to the sustained muscle contraction, the taut nodule and muscle will have a decreased oxygen supply, which causes us the pain discomfort sensation. (When we palpate a muscle knot/trigger point, this is the pain we might feel) Placing a needle into this point increases oxygen to the area, promotes blood flow and facilitates healing. It also reduces the nociception (pain receptors) at the hypersensitive point, so we feel less local pain and “sensitivity” at the region needled.
While there is ongoing research into the precise mechanisms, these factors combined contribute to the effectiveness of dry needling in managing musculoskeletal pain and improving function, alongside manual therapy to help an injury heal.
What is the difference between dry needling and acupuncture?
Dry needling and acupuncture are both techniques that involve the insertion of thin needles into the body, but they have different purposes, philosophies, and methodologies:
Purpose
Dry Needling: Primarily focuses on treating musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. It targets specific trigger points in muscles to relieve pain, improve range of motion, and promote healing.
Acupuncture: Aims to balance the body's energy (or "qi") according to traditional Chinese medicine principles. It's used to treat a wide range of conditions, including pain, stress, and overall well-being.
Philosophy
Dry Needling: Based on Western medical concepts, particularly anatomy and physiology. It views trigger points as areas of muscle tension that cause pain.
Acupuncture: Rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, it works with the concept of energy flow and meridians in the body.
Technique
Dry Needling: Involves inserting needles directly into trigger points, often with the intent to elicit a local twitch response.
Acupuncture: Needles may be inserted at various points on the body, not necessarily related to muscle tightness. The insertion is often shallower and may be left in place for a period of time.
In summary, while both techniques involve the use of needles, their approaches, purposes, and underlying philosophies are quite different.
What type of conditions benefit from dry needling?
Dry needling can benefit a variety of conditions, particularly those related to musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. Some of the most common conditions include:
Tension Headaches: Can help alleviate muscle tightness contributing to headaches.
Back Pain: Effective for both acute and chronic lower back pain.
Neck Pain: Can relieve tension in the neck muscles and associated discomfort.
Sports Injuries: Useful for strains, sprains, and muscle soreness related to athletic activity.
Shoulder Pain: Conditions like rotator cuff injuries or impingement syndrome may benefit.
Hip and Knee Pain: Effective for issues such as tendonitis or bursitis.
Sciatica: May help alleviate pain associated with nerve compression in the lower back.
Local muscle pain/tightness: Pain into the muscles for example tight calves, tight hamstrings, gluteals, forearm muscles and shoulders
If you think dry needling is something you would like to try, our Osteopath Bronwyn can perform this treatment.
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