What is Dry Needling?

Dry Needling is the utilization of either hollow-core hypodermic needles or solid fillform needles (also referred to as acupuncture needles) for muscle pain therapy, involving pain related to MPS (Myofascial Pain Syndrome). Dry needling is also known as Myofascial Trigger Point Dry Needling or IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation).

Dry needling contains the insertion of a lean filament needle to encourage the curing process of supple tissues (muscle ‘trigger point’, tendons, fascia and ligament etc) resulting in restoration of healthy physiology and pain relief.

Research shows that Dry Needling decreases muscle strain, develops pain control, electrical dysfunction of motor endplates, regulates biochemical and eases a speeded return to active or lively rehabilitation.

This dry needling is an invasive process and especially for people with Myofascial Trigger Point that contains many contraction knots, related to the creation and maintenance of the pain cycle.

It is a common term used for a therapeutic treatment process that contains multiple advances of a filament needle into the muscle in the parts of the body that produces pain and normally involves a trigger point.

What is Trigger Point?

 A myofascial “trigger point” is a hyperirritable point in the skeleton muscle that is connected along with a hypersensitive palpable nodule, or “knot”.  This part becomes painful at that site and can also “radiate” in predictable pattern.

How Dry Needling Works

Dry Needling uses a little, solid filament needle that is injected in a contracted painful tangled muscle to make a local spasm reflex that is both therapeutic and diagnostic as it’s the first step in breaking the pain cycle as research shows, it will reduce muscle contraction, improve flexibility, reduce pain and decrease chemical irritation. While a needle is injected into muscle, it will also generate a controlled lesion and will cut between 3-15 thousand individual muscle fibers.

The body assumes the needle as a foreign invader and will turn on or activate the immune system (resistance) as a response. The cut muscle filaments also generate an inflammation reaction which the body will respond to, not only locally but all over the body to decrease inflammation systemically.

The target of dry needling is to get a local twitch response to relieve from muscle tension and pain. This process is the most effective way for treating chronic pain of neuropathic origin with minimal side effects.

There is no inject-able solution and usually this needle is very thin that is used. Many of the patients will not even experience the needle penetration into the skin, but once it enters into the muscle, the discomfort can differ from patient to patient. Generally a healthy muscle experiences very minute pain upon insertion of the needle; though if the muscle is sensitive and shortened or includes active trigger points, the subject may experience a sensation much like a muscle cramp, frequently referred to as a “twitch response”.

TDN is well-known as a successful therapy to cure muscular tension and cramps that generally accompanies conditions like nerve irritation, ligament strains, arthritis, muscular strain and herniated discs. It is named Dry Needling because there is no solution inserted as with a hypodermic needle throughout a flu shot. With dry needling, the needle itself and the effects of it generates within the tissue is the treatment.

What Type of Conditions Can Be Treated By Dry Needling?

1. Chronic pain
2. Ligament Sprains/ Muscular Strains
3. Headaches
4. Neck/Back Pain
5. Sciatica
6. Shoulder Pain
7. Knee Pain
8. Hip and Gluteal Pain
9. Plantar Fasciitis
10. Tennis/Golfers Elbow
11. Athletic Performance
12. Achilles Tendonitis/Tendonosis