Dry Needling is a technique based on Western anatomical and neuro-physiological principles and should not be confused with Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture.
Dry needling refers to the use of a solid, sterile filament needle (similar to those used in acupuncture) to target specific ‘trigger points’ within muscles. Trigger points are hyper-irritable spots in the muscle that can cause pain and discomfort. Unlike "injection needling," which involves injecting substances like saline, local anesthetic or corticosteroids into tissues, dry needling involves no injection. The needles are inserted into these trigger points to stimulate blood flow, reduce pain nerve responses and promote relaxation of the surrounding muscle tissue.
Dry Needling is a valuable complement to standard physiotherapy techniques and can be particularly effective for treating conditions such as:
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Shoulder and neck tension
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Headaches and migraines
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Tennis elbow
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Gluteal muscle trigger points
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Lower back pain
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TMJ pain
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Calf and hamstring pain/tightness
It is an effective tool for alleviating pain and improving muscle function, enhancing overall recovery and treatment outcomes.