What is Dry Needling?
Dry Needling is a skilled intervention performed by a health care professional. This professional uses a fine filiform needle to penetrate the skin, creating a healing response in the tissue that has been lesioned. Tissues contributing to neuromuscularskeletal dysfunction can be dry needled, including muscle, fascia, tendon, capsule, ligament, peri-neural structures and microvascular structures.
In which situations would dry needling be used?
Patients who present with pain syndromes, neuromuscularskeletal disorders and movement impairment syndromes can all benefit from dry needling. Simple muscle tightness, sprains and strains, an overworked body needing recovery, muscle activation, swelling reduction and pain modulation are all clinical examples for the use of dry needling.
How is dry needling different from acupuncture?
Traditional acupuncture is rotted in eastern philosophy while dry needling is rooted in western medicine. There is of course overlap between the two as well as overlap amongst professionals who use the tool. Depending on the medical provider, the way the tool is applied is what makes it different from profession to profession.
Are there any side effects?
Every medical intervention carries its risks and rewards. Your medical provider has been properly trained in safe needling techniques to minimize the risk of adverse events. Tall with your health care provider about the risks associated with dry needling for your particular injury.
Is Dry needling for all people?
Everybody is different and their reactions to modalities are going to vary. In a few cases, people with low blood pressure and low body fat have a poor body response to dry needling, meaning technique can be more painful than clinically desired. Some patients may have a fight or flight response to needles, breaking into a sweat. Others feel completely relaxed during and after a treatment.