dry needling
CURAVITA offers a wide range of physiotherapy healthcare services. If you have an injury or illness that is limiting your mobility, movement and quality of life, our team of highly-trained physiotherapists are here to help and provide you with a care plan, uniquely tailored to meet your needs and get you back in motion.
What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling has been used for several decades as a therapeutic technique. The term “dry” refers to the use of solid needles, as opposed to hypodermic needles, which are considered “wet” due to their ability to inject fluids. In dry needling, a thin needle penetrates the skin to stimulate underlying myofascial trigger points, as well as muscle and connective tissues. The technique often involves ‘pistoning,’ where the needle is moved in and out of the soft tissue layers after insertion. Some temporary soreness may occur after the procedure.
Benefits of Dry Needling
Dry needling offers relief from muscle pain and stiffness, which can lead to enhanced range of motion, flexibility, and overall physical function. Additionally, it can stimulate the body’s natural healing response.
Mechanisms of Action
Dry needling has been shown to immediately increase pressure pain threshold and range of motion, while decreasing muscle tone and pain in patients with musculoskeletal conditions. Its effects are believed to occur through several mechanisms:
Local Twitch Response: The needle can trigger a ‘local twitch response,’ an involuntary spinal reflex causing a localized muscle contraction. This response can alter the length and tension of muscle fibres and stimulate mechanoreceptors like A Beta fibres.
Effects on Blood Flow: Trigger points with taut muscle bands may cause local ischemia and hypoxia. Dry needling induces vasodilation in small blood vessels, increasing blood flow and oxygenation in the muscle.
Neurophysiological Effect: Dry needling may trigger local and central nervous system responses, restoring hemostasis at the trigger point and reducing both central and peripheral pain sensitization.
Remote Effects: Dry needling of distal myofascial trigger points (MTrP) has been found to have an analgesic effect on proximal MTrP. However, evidence on the contralateral effect is mixed.