Dry Needling is another tool we use to help us achieve the results we like to help our patients recover from their certain issues. Like massage, joint manipulation or stretching it can be part of your treatment if your practitioner thinks it well benefit you.

Dry Needling involves the use of acupunture needles inserted into muscles ?trigger point,? fascia, tendons and ligaments. Dry Needling involves the neuromuscular system and by using the needles we aim to reset the neurological junction of the muscles or other structures to aid in healing. The aim of Dry Needling is to

• release muscle tension
• reduce pain
• improve muscle function
• improve joint function
• desensitize the high level of nerve irritation within the muscle

Most people are aware of the feeling of tight muscles, ?a knot? in their muscle and when pressing, palpating it can cause tenderness or even referred pain to another part of the body eg. sciatica. This nodule ?knot? in the muscle is commonly know as a Trigger Point. Aiming to release these Trigger points can help to improve treatment outcomes. Your practitioner will be able to assess which treatment is best used to help reduce your Trigger Point if needed.

Are Dry Needling and Acupuncture the same?
No Dry Needling and Acupuncture are not the same. Dry Needling purely concentrates on the musculoskeletal and nervous system. Acupuncture principles are based on ancient traditional Chinese Medicine philosophies. So even though we use the same needles they are not the same .

Within the Dry Needling method there are different technique types. Sometimes it can be pain free and other times it can be a little uncomfortable. Most people say the more often they receive it the less uncomfortable it becomes. If sensitive and over active trigger points are stimulated you may feel a strong muscle cramp like feeling or even pain felt elsewhere (referred pain). This can sometimes be comforting to patients as they often express that ?this is the exact pain they have been feeling.?

After treatment the effects of Dry Needling can still be felt for up to 2 days after the needling depending on the severity of the issue. We use Dry Needling for many conditions such as: muscle sprain/strains, tendinopathies, Sciatica, spinal joint restriction and headaches.

Your practitioner would be the best person to discuss if it is a treatment option for you.