We are hearing a lot more about dry needling these days – so what exactly is it? It is the sterile use of needles to target trigger points in a problematic muscle. Research shows that needling these points can help them to release. Essentially, it’s another tool for us to help you.
So what are trigger points? Essentially, they are those familiar ‘knots’ in a tight muscle, exquisitely tender to the touch with a nodular feel. They can give rise to referred pain, tenderness, muscle weakness and joint restriction. Trigger points can occur in isolation or together with other generalised pain syndromes.
Trigger points have long been treated by Chartered Physiotherapists in the management of pain and injury. Dry Needling is another technique to treat them. The needle is inserted directly into the skin at the point of the trigger point or ‘knot’. Usually a jumpy like feeling is achieved. This is a good sign. It indicates that the trigger point has been stimulated. Increased blood flow to the area causes the muscle to relax and release toxins.
So that’s good news for those sore spots in muscles and tight ‘knots’ in shoulders or backs.