Our bodies are under constant strain. Whether it’s from sitting at a desk for eight hours a day or living a physically active and demanding lifestyle, we are always asking a lot of our muscles, and that can begin to take a toll. Particularly as we begin to get older, our bodies are less able to spring back from a poor movement or the stress we place on our muscles. This can leave us, at best, feeling tense and, at worst, feeling restricted in our movements and experiencing pain and discomfort.
Therefore, it’s important to take care of our bodies. Physiotherapy clinics, such as Strive Physiotherapy, work hard to help with injuries and chronic pain, allowing you to improve your health and tackle each day with greater strength. Not every client comes in with the same issue, which is why physiotherapy clinics have numerous techniques and practices on hand, ready to customize your care. One method you may be exposed to if you have movement impairments due to tense nerves or muscles is dry needling. But what exactly is dry needling, and what are its pros and cons? Let’s take a look.
What is dry needling?
Dry needling is a treatment where a very fine needle is poked through the skin and into the underlying muscle. More specifically, the needle is aimed at trigger points in the muscle, which are hyperirritable spots that, if too tight, disrupt function, range of motion, and cause local pain or tenderness. By targeting the trigger points, the dry needle is able to reduce pain and tightness or banding in the muscle fibre, while also increasing blood flow.
Upon appearance, dry needling looks quite similar to acupuncture. However, it’s important to note that dry needling is a newer, Western style of practice, which aims to target specific areas of the body’s neuromusculoskeletal system.
What are the pros of dry needling?
Relieves Pain
The main benefit of dry needling, which is why so many people turn to the treatment, is that it has the ability to reduce and relieve pain. This can apply to those with temporary pain, such as sports injuries or muscle spasms resulting from tension, but it can also aid those with chronic, long-term pain. By targeting the trigger points, dry needles are able to increase range of motion and reduce discomfort.
Greater Accessibility
Dry needles are incredibly fine and, therefore, can reach areas of the body that are more difficult to target, such as the hands and feet.
Combine With Treatments
Depending on your condition, your physiotherapist may be able to combine dry needling with other treatments, ensuring that you are able to explore all the possible solutions for relief from pain and discomfort.
Less Invasive
It must be noted that dry needling is technically an invasive procedure, as the needles reach past your skin and into your muscles and nerves. However, this treatment is less invasive than many others, as it does not require surgery or drugs. Additionally, as nothing is injected into your body during dry needling, you don’t have to worry about any allergic reactions.
This treatment does not require any special preparation prior to the appointment, and patients are able to leave the clinic as soon as their procedure has ended.
Cons
Potentially Painful
The biggest concern that patients have when receiving dry needling treatments is how much it will hurt. Unfortunately, it can be a bit uncomfortable, and some experience soreness afterwards, particularly following their first few appointments.
Dry needling on a healthy muscle is painless. The problem is that the needle is targeting shortened and tightened muscles, aiming to relax them. When the needle comes into contact with the irritated muscle, the muscle essentially grabs onto it, thus creating a cramping sensation. However, the more relaxed your muscles become, the less the treatment will hurt.