Dry Needling is a technique in which a therapist uses an acupuncture needle to penetrate the skin and underlying soft tissue, inducing changes in body structure and function. This treatment can alleviate muscular and myofascial pain, release trigger points, and restore pain-free movement. Dry needling is often used for treating chronic conditions or acute episodes, particularly in cases where the cause of injury is not obvious, such as in repetitive strain injuries (RSI).
Each muscle in your body is composed of numerous muscle fibers, generally aligned in the same direction. However, a lack of mobility can cause fibers within the same muscle or between adjacent muscles to stick together, forming a perceived thickening or knot. These adhesions may manifest as taut and tender spots in the connective tissue or fascia surrounding muscles, leading to the development of myofascial knots and trigger points. Adhesions often arise when muscles are held in a shortened position for an extended period, such as sitting at a desk with poor ergonomic support. Trigger points can also result from contusions (bruises) or repetitive stress, such as the discomfort experienced in the forearms due to typing.
What is dry needling?
The practice of dry needling originated in the 1970s when North American physicians pondered the effects of stimulating trigger points in muscles solely using needles, without injecting local anesthetics. The term “dry needling” was chosen because nothing is injected through the needles.
Since its introduction, numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of dry needling in treating musculoskeletal pain, comparable to the effects of injecting different substances, including corticosteroids and analgesics. Dry needling not only accelerates patient recovery but is also frequently employed in conjunction with manual therapy and exercise.
Inserting a needle into the skin is a Controlled Act that not all health professionals are allowed to perform. With specific post-graduate education and rostering, physiotherapists, chiropractors and massage therapists can all provide safe, competent, and effective dry needling and acupuncture therapy as part of their treatment for your condition.
Dry needling vs acupuncture
Dry needling is considered the Western approach to acupuncture, focusing on the biomechanics of the body and emphasizing the importance of human body structures and movements, rather than the energy channels (meridians) used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It specifically targets localized trigger points, irrespective of their relation to these meridians. While Dry Needling and Acupuncture points may or may not be identical, even when they are, the techniques can differ significantly.
During dry needling, needles are inserted through the skin, fascia, and into tense muscle fibers to directly release knots and trigger points. Unlike acupuncture, the needles are not left in the muscles for an extended period; instead, they are maneuvered in and out of trigger points to elicit a contraction, twitch, or a “popping” sensation in the muscle fibers.
When inserted into a relaxed muscle at rest, needles encounter minimal resistance as they move through muscle fibers, resulting in little to no discomfort. However, as muscle tension increases, there is more resistance to the needles entering the muscle. Sometimes when a trigger point is contacted by a needle it causes a quick cramp-like sensation with a local twitch response. In some patients this can be more uncomfortable than traditional acupuncture.
After a treatment, you might feel localized soreness for up to 48 hours, but this discomfort is a normal part of the healing process. It’s crucial to allow an adequate amount of time between dry needling treatments to let your body’s natural healing process take place. It’s one of the few techniques where some pain can lead to more significant gains!
Who benefits from dry needling?
Dry needling is often a recommended treatment for various conditions, including but not limited to:
Conditions associated with poor posture (i.e., Postural dysfunction)
If you think you might benefit from dry needling treatment, rest assured that our approach is designed to maximize gains while minimizing discomfort, ultimately contributing to your overall well-being. The type and amount of treatment you receive always depends on your initial assessment so that we target the problem. For more information on dry needling and acupuncture, or to ask if it might be right for you, feel free to email us at physio@orthophysio.com or call us at 416-925-4687 to ask to speak to a therapist about your needs.
1 Myofascia is a dense and thin layer of tissue that covers muscles and bones in the body.
2 Called Ah shi points
