What is Dry Needling?Dry needling is a technique used for deactivation of trigger points by fine filament needle. The needles used for Dry Needling are the same type of needles that are used for acupuncture. No substance is injected in the process of dry needling and the technique can be performed by acupuncturists, specially trained physical therapists or other medical professionals.
History of Dry NeedlingAlthough modern Dry Needling dates to the 1930s in England, Dry Needling achieved full maturity in the United States through the work of Dr. Travell and Simons in the 1940s. Dr. Travell and Simons defined and located most of the important trigger points in the human body. They advocated deactivation of these trigger points through insertion of needle into the most tender spots.Dry Needling vs AcupunctureSimilarly to Western Medical Acupuncture, which is an adaptation of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture, Dry Needling is also based on the scientific concepts of anatomy & physiology and pathology. However, Dry Needling has a very narrow focus primarily centering on myofascial pain and deactivation of Trigger Points. Dry Needling doesn’t use traditional acupuncture points, instead it targets Trigger Points in dysfunctional muscle groups. Acupuncture, on the other hand, is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine which is a full medical system. Acupuncture can, therefore, treat not only muscle injuries but also emotional, digestive, gynecological and dermatological conditions to name just a few.
Why we use dry needling?The goal of dry needling is to remove trigger points and to restore the normal function of muscle tissue. When trigger points form in the muscles, they can cause pain spontaneously or when the affected muscle is being used. The presence of trigger points can however also prevent athletes from reaching their full performance potential. This is primarily due to the fact that trigger points lead to a shortening of muscle tissue. Shortened muscle inadvertently loses its ability to fully contract and relax. This not only decreases the range of motion and may result in injuries, but also hinders the maximal performance. Deactivating trigger points with dry needling not only removes the source of muscle pain caused by the trigger points but also improves the athletic performance and decreases the chances of muscle injury. To achieve the best results, dry needling is best used as a part of an integrated treatment approach. Dry needling is therefore frequently used along with physical therapy and home self-treatment protocol.Are there side effects from Dry Needling?Dry needling is generally a very safe treatment modality when performed by a trained and experienced provider. Inherent to any procedure that involves insertion of needle into the body, there are however certain risks. Mild bruising, slight bleeding and soreness after the treatment is common and generally resolves spontaneously within couple days. Taking a hot shower or bath after the treatment and stretching the treated muscle can significantly decrease the post needling soreness. Developing infection at the site of needle insertion is possible, but very rare when the rules for clean needle technique are followed. There are several other possible side effects resulting from dry needling, but they are extremely rare. Your provider is quired to review all the major risks associated with dry needling prior to the treatment for you to make the decision if Dry Needling is a suitable treatment modality for you.SummaryDry needling is a safe and effective medical treatment modality derived from acupuncture. It is primarily used for the treatment of muscle pain. Thin acupuncture needles are inserted into the trigger points in the muscle tissue with the goal of deactivating the trigger points. Dry needling can be performed by a licensed acupuncturist, physical therapist or other qualified health care professional. Dry needling is usually employed as a part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Dry needling can be also used to improve athletic performance when trigger points are identified in the muscle tissue.
