Johnny Loughrey • Jul 04, 2023

Dry Needling

What is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is technique that involves inserting thin, sharp needles into your skin and into area of muscle that are either tight or irritable. It is used as part of your pain management plan alongside exercise and stretching. The needles that are used are the same as the ones used in Acupuncture, but the technique is different; Acupuncture will involve many needles along “meridians” or “energy lines,” whilst dry needling will only use a few needles in a concentrated area. The needles a thin and do not contain any medication, hence the “dry” needle.

What is does it do?

The aim of dry needling is to reduce tightness in the muscle, increase blood flow to the area, and reduce pain in the area/ an area of referred pain. There is some contention as to what effect dry needling has, and whether the depth/ technique matters. Some studies have indicated that the sensation of the needle going into the skin causes the most effect. When the needle goes into the skin, there will be an increase in blood flow to the area, but the substantial changes occur at nervous system. In a muscle that is tight or irritable, the nervous system will be working overtime, and when you get a change quick change in tightness or a muscle it is due to a dampening down/ calming of the nervous system. During dry needling you can get a “local twitch response” which is when the muscle goes rapidly in and out of spasm, this is a visual representation of the changes of the nervous system. If the grading of needling is high or is deep you can sometimes feel tender in the area for a day or two, but it will pass.

What conditions can Dry Needling be used for?

Dry Needling can be used as part of treatment plan for a multitude of conditions. It is important to remember that Dry Needling alone will cure/ treat your issues, and that it should always be used as part of your treatment/ rehab plan.

Experientially I have found it to be a useful part of my treatment of clients with neck and shoulder pain, headache and migraine symptoms, jaw and temporal-mandibular pain, lower back and hip pain, and various muscular injuries.

It can also be a useful treatment option for those with:

• Disc issues

• Joint issues

• Tendinopathies

• Migraine and tension-type headaches

• Jaw and mouth issues

• Pelvic pain

• Whiplash

• Spinal issues

• Repetitive motion disorders

• Phantom limb pain

Who should not have dry needling?

For safety reasons the people with the following conditions should not have dry needling performed:

· Pregnant

· People who suffer with epilepsy

· On blood thinners and those with haemophilia

· Immunocompromised

· Very afraid of needles

· Those unable to understand the treatment.

The Pointy End (Pun Intended)

In conclusion, dry needling can be an effective adjunct to treatment for a variety of conditions. It should always be used in combination with advice and education, as well as some home exercises for you to be able to continue with the therapy by yourself. If you have any questions or would like to know more about it, please feel free to contact us at JT Physio.

Author: Kieran Sasiadek

Senior Physiotherapist