What is Dry Needling?

If you’ve ever had a soft tissue injury, you’ve probably had some dry needling done on you as part of your treatment. But what exactly is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a chiropractic and physiotherapy treatment based on the Trigger Point theory of discrete irritable points in skeletal muscle and fascia which are usually painful, tender and can radiate pain. Essentially, Myofascial Trigger Points are tight spasming areas within muscles which cause a lot of pain or dysfunction. Dry needling benefits patients suffering a range of pain and can be used for the treatment of arthritis, lower back pain as well as a treatment for sciatica.

When tissue is injured, whether by acute trauma or repetitive use, the body responds with inflammation to that area. In an effort to further protect itself, the damaged tissue contracts, and if left untreated, restriction in mobility and movement can occur as scar tissue builds up around the muscles and tissues. Dry needling treatment can not only eliminate neuromuscular pain but also restore mobility and functionality.

The Dry needling technique utilises very thin needles – less than 1/5 of a cm across –  which are inserted into the knotted muscle to elicit a twitch response, resulting in a relaxation of muscle contraction. In addition, the produced immune response to the insertion of the needle affects a systemic reduction in inflammation all over the body, not just locally. It is termed ‘dry’ as no material is injected into the tissue.

Due to the ability to reach deep affected areas, Dry Needling physiotherapy is highly effective in finding and eliminating neuromuscular dysfunction that leads to pain and functional deficits. Essentially, the use of a fine filament needle aims to “de-activate” trigger points in muscles.

Spinal and Sports Care offers dry needling at our Parramatta and Castle Hill clinics. For more information, please call 9683 1110.