What is Dry needling?
Dry needling is the practice of inserting fine needles into the body.
What does dry needling do?
The needles are placed in areas of tight muscles. The body responds by stimulating blood circulation and create a change in inflammatory chemicals and neural pathways. This can help facilitate the natural healing process and provide initial symptomatic relief with reduction of soreness and tightness.
What are the main benefits?
- Release of Myofascial trigger points
A Myofascial trigger point is referred to as a “knot” in the muscle, it occurs normally when a muscle does not return to it’s relaxed lengthen state after a period of activation.
They can be painful to touch and can limit range of motion through a particular area. Dry needling works to release these trigger points.
- Helps with pain and discomfort
Dry needling can target the localised area of pain and help provide symptomatic relief. A release of inflammatory chemicals, tension and pressure can aid this in the area.
- Improve range of motion
Once these myofascial trigger points are released, the area has less tension. This provides the patient with the ability to move more freely and comfortable.
- Decrease recovery time
Dry needling allows for increased range of motion and decrease pain meaning you can get back to doing the activity you enjoy.
By releasing the myofascial trigger points which lead to decrease pain, increased range of motion it helps accelerate recover times.
Dry needling can also help with many sports injuries such as Tennis and golfer’s elbow and shoulder pain. It also works well with treating headaches and can be used for neck and lower back pain.
Dry needling is used with a combination of other techniques here by our Osteopaths and can help assist reduce pain and improve function of the musculoskeletal system.