24/02/2026
Dry needling releases trigger points through a combination of mechanical, biochemical, and neurophysiological mechanisms that break the cycle of muscle tension and pain.
$ Mechanical Release
Physical Disruption: The insertion of a thin, solid needle directly into a "knot" (myofascial trigger point) physically disrupts dysfunctional motor endplates and helps realign knotted muscle fibers.
Local Twitch Response (LTR): The needle often elicits an involuntarv spinal reflex where the muscle briskly contracts and then relaxes. This twitch helps "reset' the muscle to its normal resting state and relaxes the actin-myosin bonds that keep the muscle band taut.
Biochemical Normalization
Flushing Toxic Buildup: Trigger points often exist in an "energv crisis" where sustained contraction limits blood flow, leading to oxygen
deprivation (hypoxia) and increased acidity (low pH). The mechanical stimulation of needling promotes vasodilation, increasing blood flow to flush out waste and deliver oxygen and
nutrients.
Neurotransmitter Homeostasis: Research shows that successful needling immediately lowers the concentration of pain-sensitizing chemicals like Substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide CGRP), and interleukins in the affected tissue. It also helps normalize levels of acetvicholine, the neurotransmitter responsible for over-stimulating muscle contraction .
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