Dry Needling

Dry needling, also known as trigger-point dry needling or intramuscular stimulation, is a technique that treats tension points in tight, irritated or injured muscle tissue, using fine acupuncture needles. Often used by qualified remedial massage therapists and acupuncturists, dry needling adds another layer of relief in their remedial work.

Whilst dry needling and acupuncture use fine needles to insert in specific points, they are very different forms of therapy. Acupuncture is a practice that has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine and has solid research supporting its effectiveness. Acupuncture is a holistic medicinal practice that treats hundreds of conditions and treatments. Dry needling, on the other hand, is a modern therapy that works specifically on the musculoskeletal system.

Dry needling is a safe technique and ideal for treating many musculoskeletal conditions, including muscle strain and stiffness, hip pain, tennis elbow, low back pain, neck pain, rotator cuff pain, hip pain, headaches, shoulder pain, bursitis, biceps tendinitis, iliotibial band syndrome, Achilles tendinitis, whiplash, and temporomandibular pain (TMJ).

When a practitioner uses dry needling and applies this technique to an affected muscle or trigger point, it can significantly decrease muscle tightness, improve circulation and blood flow to the area, thereby promoting healing and reduced pain.

Most clients will experience immediate relief after treatment. The needles are applied to the affected area and left the muscle for a period of 10 seconds and 20 minutes during treatment.

Contraindications

Dry Needling therapy should be avoided in under the following circumstances:

• Medical emergency or acute medical condition.

  
  

• Over an area or limb with lymphedema. The reason for this is that there is a risk of infection/cellulitis and the difficulty of fighting the infection if one should occur.

• Where a client may have an extreme needle phobia

Consult with your practitioner first if you have any of the following:

• Taking blood thinner medications or have a tendency to bleed easily

• Compromised immune system

• Vascular disease

• Diabetes

• Pregnancy

• Children

• Frailty

• Epilepsy

Anna Collis offers dry needling, along with her remedial massage therapy, and is available at Haberfield Health on Wednesdays - Fridays.