What is Dry Needling?
If you’ve ever struggled with chronic muscle pain, tightness, or restricted movement, chances are you’ve tried everything from massage therapy to foam rolling. One increasingly popular treatment option for these symptoms is dry needling. Dry Needling can be used by trained health professionals to treat musculoskeletal pain and movement issues.
Dry needling is a minimally invasive technique that involves inserting very thin, solid filiform needles (the same kind used in acupuncture) into muscles that can cause pain, stiffness, or referred pain to other areas. The term “dry” refers to the fact that no medication or fluid is injected through the needle during the procedure.
The goal of dry needling is to release tension in the muscle, improve blood flow, and reduce both local and referred pain. It’s most often used in conjunction with other physical therapy interventions to address conditions like:
- Neck and back pain
- Shoulder impingement
- Tennis elbow
- Headaches and migraines
- Sciatica
- Plantar fasciitis
- Fibromyalgia
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
The science behind dry needling is still evolving, but here’s the general idea: when a needle is inserted into a trigger point, it can cause a local twitch response, essentially a small muscle contraction. This response is believed to disrupt the feedback loop causing the muscle to stay tight. As the muscle relaxes, pain can diminish, range of motion can improve, and normal function can return.
In addition to physical changes in the muscle tissue, dry needling may also stimulate the central nervous system. Studies suggest that it can activate pathways in the brain and spinal cord that reduce pain signals and improve muscle coordination.
Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture
It’s easy to confuse dry needling with acupuncture since both involve the use of thin needles and may look similar at first glance. However, the two practices are based on very different philosophies and intended outcomes.
Acupuncture is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and aims to balance the flow of energy in the body by targeting specific meridian points. Dry needling, on the other hand, is grounded in modern Western medicine and targets trigger points and neuromuscular dysfunction with a focus on anatomy and physiology.
In other words, acupuncture is typically used for a wide variety of conditions, including digestive issues, anxiety, or even insomnia, whereas dry needling is primarily used for muscular pain and movement impairments.
What to Expect During a Session
During a dry needling session, a licensed practitioner will first assess your symptoms, movement patterns, and areas of pain or tightness. Then, they’ll locate specific trigger points and insert needles into those areas.
You may feel a quick twitch, cramping, or a dull ache when the needle hits the trigger point, this is normal and often a sign the muscle is responding. Some people feel relief almost immediately; others may take a few sessions to notice a difference.
Afterward, it’s common to feel sore in the treated area, like you’ve just done a tough workout. This usually resolves in a day or two, and your therapist may recommend light stretching, heat/ice, or hydration to speed up recovery.
Benefits of Dry Needling
The potential benefits of dry needling are significant, especially for those dealing with chronic or stubborn musculoskeletal issues:
- Pain relief: By disrupting pain signals and releasing tight muscle bands, dry needling can provide rapid relief.
- Improved mobility: Releasing trigger points can increase range of motion and flexibility.
- Faster recovery: Athletes often use dry needling to recover faster from injury or overuse.
- Enhanced muscle function: Releasing trigger points can help restore normal muscle activation and coordination.
- Complement to other therapies: Dry needling works best as part of a broader treatment plan including stretching, strengthening, and movement correction.
Are There Any Risks?
Dry needling is generally safe when performed by a trained and licensed practitioner. However, like any medical intervention, it does come with some risks and side effects, including:
- Temporary soreness or bruising
- Fatigue or dizziness
- Rarely, bleeding or infection
- In extremely rare cases, pneumothorax (collapsed lung) if needles are inserted improperly in the upper back or chest
Always make sure you’re working with a certified professional who follows proper hygiene and safety protocols.
Is Dry Needling Right for You?
Dry needling is a powerful tool to complement traditional manual therapy and exercise-based rehabilitation. If you’re struggling with muscle pain that isn’t resolving with other methods, or if you feel like your progress has plateaued, it might be worth a try.
At 13th Beach Health Services, we have a number of practitioners who are trained in this area, including osteopaths, physiotherapists and myotherapists. They will be able to advise you if this treatment is suitable for your symptoms, as well as provide other treatment options to you to assist in the resolution of your conditions.