Dry Needling: How it relieves muscular pain
Chiropractic solutions to ease tight knots and promote local healing
At Sydney Spine and Sports Clinics, we believe in providing chiropractic care excellence by using scientifically proven techniques to help you feel better. Dry needling is one treatment technique we can use to relieve muscular pain in conjunction with other chiropractic methods. Here, Drummoyne Chiropractor Dr Luke Ross outlines what dry needling is and why it can be an effective part of your chronic pain relief or injury recovery.
What is dry needling?
Dry needling is the precise insertion of an acupuncture needle into a trigger point (a ‘knot’) in the muscle. An acupuncture needle is a small tool – they typically measure between 0.12-0.3mm in diameter and 15-100mm in length. Dry needling is a safe technique performed by suitably trained chiropractors, physiotherapists or massage therapists. Commonly, dry needling is performed in conjunction with other evidence-based methods to treat pain symptoms.
Dry Needling vs Acupuncture - what’s the difference?
Dry needling differs to acupuncture. The Mayo Clinic explains: “Traditional Chinese medicine explains acupuncture as a technique for balancing the flow of energy or life force — known as chi or qi (chee) — believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in your body. By inserting needles into specific points along these meridians, acupuncture practitioners believe that your energy flow will re-balance”. Whereas dry needling - developed by modern medicine - aims to relieve muscle tension by disrupting the blood flow of a trigger point.
How does dry needling work?
The needle is inserted into a taught band of muscle. This initial insertion can separate some of the muscle fibres. The needle insertion can be painful for some patients, and barely noticeable for others. If you have any questions in advance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch and we can answer any of your individual needs and concerns.
A trigger point is a sustained muscle contraction in part of a muscle belly. The muscle contraction is powered by blood and oxygen. When a needle is inserted into the affected muscle fibres, it breaks the blood supply to the area and diminishes the contraction’s power.
After insertion, a therapist can twist the needle to bind the fascia (which is like a cling wrap over all the muscles). The twisting motion tensions the fascia which then allows it to release.
Once the needle is removed, your body responds by promoting local healing to the affected area.
How can dry needling help?
Multiple research papers suggest that dry needling can reduce pain and increase range of motion, compared to no treatment or other therapies. Conditions that have been explored include low back pain, neck pain, tennis elbow, plantar heel, and myofascial trigger point pain.
Dry Needling Services at Sydney Spine
At Sydney Spine and Sports Clinic, we put you first. We believe in offering ethical chiropractic care that enables you to make informed and educated choices about your health. If you are suffering discomfort and would like to talk to us about how we can help you get mobile and active again – make an appointment with one of our chiropractors.