Dry Needling involves palpating and needling tight, sore spots called myofascial trigger points, in order to bring about pain relief and promote healing. It is not the same as Acupuncture – it uses the same needles but a different philosophy.
The term “dry” needling differentiates this style of therapy from “wet” needling, which is the injection of fluid substances (often corticosteroid or local anaesthetic) into a painful area. Dry Needling aims to de-activate painful active myofascial trigger points, allowing the muscle to resume its relaxed resting state.
Dry Needling of a myofascial trigger point commonly elicits a local twitch response, which is an involuntary reflex in which the muscle fibres within a taut band of muscle contract around the needle. This action is proposed to activate release of the body’s own analgesic chemicals, which provides a pain relieving effect.
Our Physios have undertaken additional training in the theory and application of Dry Needling as a therapy.
All needles used are solid filiform needles that are sterile, disposable and single-use only.
