Dry needling is a treatment technique used to treat muscle aches and painful areas of the body. In this article, we will know everything about this technique and dry needling near me
The phrase “invasive physiotherapy” refers to treatments in which a physical agent delivered percutaneously, that is, via the patient’s skin, to treat specific disorders.
The physical agent employed may be just the mechanical stimulus of different types of needles, or may be the combination of this mechanical stimulus by applying some kind of electrical current that passes through one or more needle electrodes.
Examples of the former are dry needling (DN) and its different modalities, and acupuncture when used by a physiotherapist in the exercise of its functions.
As examples:
- Electro stimulation of myofascial trigger points (MTP)
- The PENS (Percutaneal Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
- Electro acupuncture
- Intratissue Percutaneous Electrolysis (EPI)
- Other types of electrical stimulation of nerves.
Pr. Mayoral del Moral invented the term “invasive physiotherapy” in 2001, and it has since been utilized in graduate education, post-graduate and new official university master’s programs, as well as scientific Spanish production connected to myofascial pain syndrome.
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Dry needling in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS)
Dry needling (DN) consists in using the mechanical stimulus of a needle as physical agent for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). It employs the descriptor “dry” to underline the absence of chemicals and therefore to separate it definitively from other invasive procedures that penetrate a material, such as local anasthetics, sterile water, isotonic saline, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory asteroids, or botulinum toxin A or B.
The myofascial pain syndrome
Myofascial pain syndrome is defined as a set of signs and symptoms caused by myofascial trigger points (MTP), which include pain (often felt outside the area where the responsible MTP is located), muscle weakness, restricted mobility, lack of coordination, muscle fatigability, impaired relaxation and recovery in muscles after activity, muscle spasm electro myographically observed in the area of pain, and impaired motor activation patterns, among others. Then, according to the most widely known pathogenic explanation today, MTP is small muscle spasms, with terminal platelets being the primary cause of their occurrence.
Contractures give rise to the appearance of taut bands identified by palpation, ultrasound and magnetic elastography resonance. The existence of aberrant spontaneous electrical activity, identified by needle electromyography and characterized as noise plate, can be electromyographically observed in MTP.
So, Some authors consider this electromyographic characteristic the standard reference for the diagnosis of MTP, and its prevalence is a clear indication of the degree of clinical activity.
Obviously, the use of DN falls mainly in the first stage of the MPS treatment, ie in the phase where is trying to eliminate the MTP that causes the patient’s symptoms.
There are two types of dry needling:
- Superficial dry needling: In this case, the needles are inserted into the subcutaneous tissue without reaching the trigger point.
- Deep dry needling: In this case, the trigger point is reached, since what is sought is to generate contractions in the muscle. The needle used is slightly finer than acupuncture, and is inserted several times.
When the treatment is finished, it is common for the physiotherapist to indicate a series of stretches to complete it.
Both during the procedure and two days later, a certain ailment is experienced, but at the same time an improvement of the condition caused by the trigger points is felt.
The damaged muscle will begin to regenerate and relax, until the pain in the local areas and close to the affected area disappears.
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Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
Although the techniques have a very similar procedure, the rationale behind the technique is very different. While acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine, from body meridians to the release of an energy called chi. Dry needling is based on evidence-based clinical practice to treat myofascial pain syndrome (muscle-type pain) and produce a physiological response to improve the patient’s pain or functionality.
Therapeutic effectiveness of dry needling
Given the similar clinical effectiveness and lower potential for complications associated with injection of substances used in the infiltration and the lowest tissue trauma caused by filiform needle commonly used in the DN, different authors recommend preferentially the use of the DN versus infiltrating in the treatment of MTP.
With dry needles we target the muscle tissue – the skeletal system and they are most often the guide for trigger or trigger points in the muscle tissue. It is also used to treat specific pain syndromes, such as:
- Pain in the lumbar spine
- Pain in the neck and upper shoulders
- Osteoarthritis and pain in major joints
- Muscle fatigue and overload
- Inflammation of soft structures (Achilles tendon, tennis and Golf elbow, rotator cuff, ligaments and tendons in the knee and ankle)
- migraine
- tension headaches
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- computer-related disorders
- spinal injuries
- pelvic pain and other urological syndromes
- postherpetic neuralgia
- night cramps
- phantom pain
- tendonitis
- disc pathology
- disc dysfunction
Dry needling has a targeted effect on muscle tissue and the skeletal system, as it directly affects trigger or trigger points in muscle tissue. These points are irritated areas in the muscle or muscle sheath that are constricted and less well-circulated. By inserting a 0.25 mm thin needle, we release tension or pain in these foci, which consequently circulate.
Watch the video to see how dry needling can help relieve muscle pain
Causes of Trigger Points
These Trigger Points can be produced for several reasons:
- By performing repetitive movements of the same set of muscles.
- On other occasions, these Trigger Points may appear because the patient remains exposed for a long time to a current of cold air.
- Another cause may be due to a blow or strong trauma.
- It can also be produced because the patient has or has adopted a bad posture, thereby causing a muscle group or a specific muscle to have a shortened position for a long time.
- But sometimes the Trigger Points can also appear due to the emotional states that the patient possesses, that is, due to stress.
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Types of Trigger Points
There are several types of Trigger Points, and these are classified as:
- Active: They hurt all the time and can transfer discomfort to other parts of the body.
- Latent: they are points that only hurt when the patient palpate them.
- Another type is central: are points that are located in the muscle belly of the same.
- INSERTIONAL: these points are located at the insertion of the muscle.
- Key: are responsible for the activity of one or more Trigger Points. At the moment that the Physiotherapist blocks the pain of a Key Trigger Point, a blockade of the Satellite Trigger Point will also automatically take place. In this way there is no need to treat both points, you should only treat only the main point.
- Finally, PRIMARY Trigger Point.
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Benefits of dry needling therapy
1- Reduces pain
Numerous studies have shown immediate or short-term improvement in the treatment of pain or paralysis. A study published in 2007 in the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation points out that dry needles significantly reduce shoulder pain by treating trigger points. 14 individuals with discomfort in both shoulders received treatment in one but not the other. Physical therapists can quickly reduce the severity of discomfort in the treated shoulder. The study treated upper trapezoidal latent myofascial trigger points in the upper back in 60 women with this therapy. All participants reported pain reduction.
2- Improves movement
Patients who receive this treatment and obtain enough exercise move more fluidly, according to research. In 2009, four international beach volleyball athletes received a 30-day treatment. Before and after therapy, the range of motion, strength, and pain were all measured, and all of the results improved. Athletes were able to continue their activities, proving that a dry needle does not cause weakness and less range of motion immediately after treatment. These examples support the use of dry needles in professional athletes during the competition phase with short-term pain relief and improved function in shoulder injuries.
3- Accelerate recovery
Patients treated with a dry injection needle have less pain quickly; in fact, most patients feel the benefits immediately after the first treatment. Based on reports published in the Journal of Orthopedics & Sports Physical Therapy, patient recovery is restored much faster. An Australian study looked at the effect of dry needles on chronic heart rate disorders. This research relates to sensory disturbances and poor response to physical therapy such as exercise. Because exercise after three months of treatment did not completely eliminate the symptoms of heart rhythm, physiotherapists added dry needles to speed up the healing process, reduce treatment costs, pain and paralysis.
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Is it an effective treatment?
Yes. Its effectiveness, with a significant decrease in pain and improvement in the symptoms associated with these painful points of muscular origin, has made this technique more and more popular every day.
Physiotherapists use this approach in concert with other physical therapy treatments to gain higher efficacy. Furthermore, after the physiotherapist is able to eliminate the painful areas, the doctor needs re-education in the patient’s behaviors if recovery is to continue over time.
A correct puncture causes pain to disappear (both pain in the affected area and referred pain) and improves the blood supply to the treated area, improving the overall recovery process.
If you want to do dry needling sessions, So, I propose that you first learn about the technique’s indications and contraindications. For this reason, as a physiotherapist at the Policlínica Guadalupe, I am at your disposal to clarify any doubts you may have in this regard.
Contraindications of dry needling
Avoid using dry needles in some cases, because there are just a series of precautions and factors to consider when applying it.
- Fear of needles
- Clotting problems
- Areas with cuts, scars, tattoos, spots, or injuries…
- Metal sensitivity
- In pregnant women (in areas close to the pelvis and abdomen)
Dry Needling Near Me
1- San Francisco Dry Needling Clinic
Address: 870 Market St, Suite 1121, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA
2- Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers – Highlands Ranch
Address: Highlands Ranch, CO 80129, United States, 8955 S Ridgeline Blvd Ste 400
3- Prevea Dry Needling
Address: 853 South Main Street, Oconto Falls, WI 54154, USA
4- Acupuncture and Physiotherapy in Queen West
Address: 345 Queen Street West, Brampton, ON L6Y 3A9, Canada
5- Ace Sports Clinic
Address: 1 St Clair Ave W, Suite 302, Toronto, ON M4V 1K6, Canada
6- Dry needling in St. Clair west
Address: 1466 Bathurst St, Suite 306, Toronto, ON M5R 3S3, Canada
7- The Therapist of Dry Needling
Address: 89 Moulsham St, Chelmsford, CM2 0JF, UK
8- Pall Mall Physiotherapy and dry needling
Address: JD Gyms Liverpool City Centre is located at 14 Dale St, Liverpool L2 4th, United Kingdom.
9- Norris Health
Address: It is located at 16 Lawton St, Cheshire, Congleton, CW12 1RP in the United Kingdom.
10- CLiNiC Dry Needling Technique
Address: In all Areas of Dunsborough and surrounding communities.
11- Osteopathy & Dry Needling Clinic
Address: 14/157 Crown Street, Wollongong, NSW 2500, Australia
12- Myofascial Dry Needling and Magic Body Massage Therapy
Address: 18 Bourke Street, Carrington, NSW 2294, Australia
Conclusion
To sum up, Dry needling is a very effective technique for certain musculoskeletal complaints (myofascial pain syndrome). Despite what it may seem a priori, it is normally not painful and, in general, patients who have tried a dry needling treatment would repeat it in the event of re-injury. So, it is important that the patient knows the technique and understands its effects to contemplate it as part of the therapy.
