What is Dry Needling?

What is Dry Needling Physiotherapy?

Dry needling, also known as intramuscular stimulation (IMS), is a technique used by trained physiotherapists to treat myofascial pain and what lay people call “trigger points” in the muscles. Trigger points feel like tight muscle fibers and can become more tender and sensitive with injuries or overuse. Many people find relief from this type of pain, with dry needling. Dry needling involves inserting thin, sterile needles into specific points in the muscles to stimulate a healing response and release tension in myofascial points, muscle, and connective tissue.

Who Would Benefit from Dry Needling?

Anyone feeling ongoing pain or tension in an area of their body, whether it is new or been bothersome for years. Some examples would be:

Physiotherapist inserting needle into patient.

· Tight hips that do not want to let go with stretching or massage

· Pinching sensation when turning your head or lifting your arm or leg

· Tension headaches

· Sciatic pain

· Lower back pain or tension

· Shoulder pain or tension

· Abdominal gripping

How Does Dry Needling Work?

The needles stimulate the nerve fibers, releasing substances that interrupt pain signals. The nerve fibers also initiate a pathway that creates a twitch response within the muscle allowing them to relax from their tightened state to relieve pain.

Physiotherapist performing dry needling on a patient.

What Are the Benefits of Dry Needling?

Dry needling has several benefits including improving blow flow, promoting healing, reducing pain, and improving range of motion. By increasing blood flow, it help to circulate and eliminate acidic wastes from muscles, allowing them to receive the nutrients and oxygen necessary for healing. It promotes natural healing by supporting the formation of collagen and proteins, restoring a muscle’s normal function. It can also improve muscle extensibility, taking the pressure off the nerves and joints, to reduce pain and improve flexibility.

What to Expect with Dry Needling?

First a physical and functional exam are performed to assess the feel of the muscle and surrounding tissues as well as the movement patterns.

The skin is then cleaned with an alcohol swab and the small tube that contains the needle is placed onto the skin over the area to be treated.

There is a quick tapping sensation as the needle is inserted. You often don’t feel the insertion, as the needle is very thin.

The needle is then moved up and down within the tissue to produce a “twitch response” in the muscle. You should feel a muscle twitch or deep achy sensation as the muscle is releasing.

The needling is in for around 10 seconds or less.

Afterwards the treated muscle should feel relief and better mobility, but will also feel fatigued like you have worked that muscle at the gym. The fatigued sensation will sometimes last until the next day but you are free to move about as normal.