Dry Needling: Everything You Need To Know

The landscape of pain management is continually evolving, with treatments like dry needling offering new avenues of relief. Today, we'll unpack the mechanics and benefits of dry needling and help you decide whether it could be an effective treatment for you. 

Dry needling involves the insertion of fine needles into the skin. The needles are used to stimulate trigger points, which are areas of muscle tension (or knots) that can cause pain and discomfort. Despite its name, there's nothing 'dry' about this procedure. The term simply refers to the absence of injection or medication. The treatment is used to alleviate muscular pain, ease acute inflammation and promote healing in your body.

Now, you might be wondering: how does poking a muscle with a needle help? Well, when the needle enters a trigger point, it can create a local twitch response. This twitch or reflexive action is an indication that the muscle is releasing its tightness and often leads to a reduction in pain and enhanced muscle function.

To understand dry needling fully, you need to get to grips with what a trigger point is. Imagine your muscle fibres as a carefully coiled spring. Now, suppose a section of this spring gets twisted and forms a tight knot. That knot represents a trigger point - a source of pain and tension within the muscle. Dry needling targets these knots, helping to untangle the spring and restore your muscles to their normal state.

When conducted by a professional, dry needling is safe. The skin is cleaned before treatment begins and sterile, single use acupuncture needles are used to reduce chance of infection. You may experience a temporary increase in discomfort following treatment, but it should resolve in 24-48 hours with gentle stretching, light massage and application of a heat pack.

Pain Reduction: By targeting the source of muscular pain, dry needling may help manage and alleviate discomfort, improving your quality of life.

Increased Range of Motion: The release of muscular tension can free up your muscles, leading to an increase in flexibility and range of motion.

Enhanced Muscle Function: By resetting the muscle's trigger points, the procedure can restore normal function and improve overall muscle performance.

Dry needling can be beneficial for a wide range of people, particularly those dealing with persistent muscular pain, stiffness or discomfort. From desk-bound professionals with chronic back pain, to fitness enthusiasts looking to soothe sore muscles, dry needling can prove to be an effective treatment option. Like with any treatment, you should discuss whether it's suitable for your specific needs with your primary healthcare professional before beginning.

If muscle pain has been holding you back, it's time to take a step towards relief. At My Chiropractor Mackay City, we use dry needling as part of our chiropractic treatment plans. Our chiropractors are trained in this technique and can use it to help relieve pain, improve range of motion, and speed up the healing process. Our friendly team is ready to answer any questions and guide you through the process. Call us to book an appointment today.