08/12/2025
Clinic offers Orthopaedic Dry Needling as an effective treatment modality for some patients and in clinic I may offer this inconjunction with exercise prescription, but what is it?
Dry Needling was developed in the 1970s and is an intervention that uses a solid thin filiform needle to pe*****te skin and stimulate muscular and connective tissues for the management of pain and movement impairments – targeting trigger points, commonly referred to as “knots” in muscular tissue. It is scientifically proven form of treatment based on modern anatomy & physiology principles. It is proven to deactivate myofascial trigger points reducing chronic pain, tenderness and allows the muscle to feel freer and not as tight. Dry needling differs from acupuncture and the biggest difference between the two practices is philosophical. Acupuncture is based around holistic Chinese medicine concepts while dry needling is rooted in Western medicine. Dry needling is based around the manipulation of trigger points and knotted muscle fibres. Acupuncture, on the other hand, is based around “meridians”.
Dry needling is an effective treatment for managing muscle pain, headaches, back pain, tendonitis, muscle spasms, sciatica, fibromyalgia and overuse injuries. It’s also a great way to help deal with mobility issues and sports-related injuries.
How does it work?
The insertion of the needle creates a local twitch response which has a biomechanical characteristic to it, creating a reaction in the body and is the first step in breaking the pain cycle. Research shows the outcome will include reduced muscle contraction, reductions in chemical irritation, improvement in flexibility and decreased pain. The body considers the needle as a foreign invader and will activate the immune system as a response and an inflammatory reaction that your body will respond, to not just locally but all over the body to reduce inflammation.
Homeostatic points are targets with the needles all over the body, these points encourage healing. The brain releases endorphins and they travel to the point where the needle is inserted which starts the healing
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