What is dry needling?

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How your Myotherapist will typically use dry needling

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Assessment: Before performing dry needling, your Myotherapist will conduct a thorough assessment of your condition. This involves evaluating your pain, range of motion, muscle tension, and any other relevant factors. Your Myotherapist will identify the areas of concern, such as trigger points or tight muscle bands, that could benefit from dry needling.

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Needle Insertion: Once the assessment is complete, your Myotherapist will select appropriate acupuncture needles. These needles are very thin and are inserted into the skin without any medication or fluids (hence the term "dry" needling). The needles are typically inserted into trigger points, which are areas of hyperirritability within a muscle that may be causing pain or referring pain to other areas of the body.

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Stimulation: After the needles are inserted, your Myotherapist may manipulate them slightly to elicit a response from the muscle tissue. This could involve gentle twisting, tapping, or other movements. The goal is to activate the trigger point and encourage the muscle to relax.

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Muscle Response: Dry needling often leads to a localised twitch response in the muscle. This twitch response is thought to help release muscle tension and improve blood flow to the area, promoting healing. The twitch response can be uncomfortable but is generally brief.

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Needle Removal: The needles are usually left in place for a short period of time, typically around 10 to 30 minutes. Your Myotherapist will carefully remove the needles once the session is complete.

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Post-Treatment Care: After the dry needling session, your Myotherapist will provide guidance on post-treatment care. This could include recommendations for stretching, exercises, heat, and other self-care strategies to optimise the effects of the treatment.

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How Dry needling works

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Dry needling is believed to have various physiological effects on the body. While research is ongoing and not all mechanisms are fully understood, some potential physiological effects of dry needling include:

 

Trigger Point Deactivation: One of the primary goals of dry needling is to target trigger points—taut bands of muscle fibers that are sensitive and can cause referred pain. Research suggests that inserting a needle into a trigger point may cause a localised twitch response in the muscle. This twitching is believed to be a sign of muscle fiber relaxation and the release of tension. This process may help deactivate the trigger point and alleviate pain.

 

Local blood flow and Healing Response: The mechanical insertion of a thin needle into muscle tissues can create microtrauma at the cellular level. This microtrauma is thought to stimulate the body's natural healing response. It can lead to increased blood flow to the area, promoting tissue repair, and encouraging the removal of metabolic waste products.

 

Neurological Effects: Needle insertion into muscles and soft tissues can stimulate nerve receptors called nociceptors. This stimulation may trigger a reflex relaxation of the muscle, reduce muscle spasm, and influence the nervous system's perception of pain.

 

Tissue Relaxation: The mechanical effect of inserting and manipulating the needles can result in the relaxation of tense muscle fibers and fascia. This can improve muscle function, increase range of motion, and reduce muscle imbalances.

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Microtrauma and Fibroblast Activation: The microtrauma caused by needle insertion may activate fibroblasts, which are cells responsible for producing collagen and other extracellular matrix components. This activation can contribute to tissue remodeling and repair.

 

 

Effects of Dry Needling on the central nervous system (CNS)

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Dry needling is also theorised to have various effects on the central nervous system (CNS). While the exact mechanisms are not always fully understood, there are several ways in which dry needling might influence the CNS:

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Pain Modulation: Dry needling can stimulate nerve receptors in the skin, muscles, and fascia. This sensory input travels to the spinal cord and brain, where it can compete with or inhibit the transmission of pain signals. The "gate control theory" of pain suggests that stimulating large-diameter nerve fibers through techniques like dry needling can help close the "gate" for pain signals carried by smaller-diameter fibers, leading to pain relief.

 

Release of Endogenous Opioids: It's theorised that dry needling might trigger the release of endogenous opioids, which are natural pain-relieving substances produced by the body. These opioids, such as endorphins, enkephalins, and dynorphins, can bind to opioid receptors in the CNS, reducing pain perception.

 

Neuromodulation: Dry needling's stimulation of nerve receptors may lead to changes in the activity of neurons within the CNS. This neuromodulation can impact pain processing, sensory perception, and motor control.

 

Autonomic Nervous System Effects: Dry needling may influence the autonomic nervous system, which controls functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion. Needle insertion can trigger reflex responses that affect sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) activity.

 

Sensorimotor Integration: Needle insertion can provide sensory input to the CNS, contributing to sensorimotor integration. This can enhance proprioception (awareness of body position and movement) and kinesthetic sense, improving movement control and coordination.

 

Cortical Changes: Some research suggests that dry needling might lead to changes in the brain's cortex. Functional imaging studies have shown altered brain activity patterns after needling, indicating that the CNS responds to the sensory input generated by the procedure.

 

Central Sensitization Modulation: Dry needling may play a role in modulating central sensitization, a phenomenon in which the CNS becomes hypersensitive to pain signals. By influencing the sensory input and nerve pathways, dry needling might help normalize pain perception.

 

Motor Control and Muscle Function: Dry needling can affect motor neurons and muscle fibers through its impact on the neuromuscular junction. It might lead to improved muscle function, decreased muscle spasms, and enhanced motor control.

 

It's important to note that while these theories are supported by research, the specific mechanisms of dry needling's effects can vary depending on the individual, the specific condition being treated, and other factors. The research on dry needling is ongoing, and its precise mechanisms are still a topic of investigation.

 

 

Dry needling Vs Acupuncture

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It's important to note that while dry needling and acupuncture both involve the use of thin needles, they have different underlying philosophies and practices. Dry needling is primarily focused on addressing musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction by targeting trigger points and tight muscles. Acupuncture, on the other hand, is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and aims to balance the body's energy flow (Qi) through the use of specific acupuncture points.

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Safety considerations of dry needling

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Your Myotherapist will have the current research and knowledge, to perform dry needling safely and effectively every time! However, as with any medical procedure, there are certain considerations and potential risks to be aware of:

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Infection Risk: At Harmony Myotherapy we use sterile, single-use needles for each session and have strict hygiene practices to prevent infection.

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Bleeding and Bruising: Some individuals might experience minor bleeding or bruising at the needle insertion sites. This is usually very mild, temporary and not a cause for concern.

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Pain and Discomfort: Mild pain or discomfort at the insertion site during or after the session is common and typically subsides within a short period.

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Risk of Pneumothorax: When needling is performed near the chest or upper back, there is a extremely rare risk of puncturing the lung, which can lead to a pneumothorax (collapsed lung). Rest assured your Myotherapist is highly qualified and is competent in needling these regions.

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Risk for Certain Individuals: Dry needling may not be suitable for individuals with bleeding disorders, certain medical conditions, or those taking blood-thinning medications. Your Myotherapist will ascertain your suitability through your history and assessment.

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Local Reactions: Some people might experience localised reactions, such as redness or swelling, at the needle insertion points. These reactions are usually mild and transient.

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To ensure your safety, we take the following precautions:

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Registered Professional: Your Myotherapist is registered with a recognised professional Myotherapy association and must meet stringent criteria every year to remain a member, including regular personal development on dry needling.

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Training and Certification: Your Myotherapist had undertaken the most rigorous training in dry needling in Australia and must continue to do specific dry needling courses every three years, to maintain registration with their Myotherapy Association.

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Clean and Safe Environment: Harmony Myotherapy adhere to strict hygiene and infection control practices.

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Informed Consent: Before undergoing dry needling, your Myotherapist will provide you with clear information about the procedure, potential risks, benefits, and alternative treatments. You will be asked for your informed consent before proceeding.

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