Dry Needling

Dry needling is an effective method within physical therapy. Dry needling or dry puncture is used to treat muscle pain or myofascial pain syndrome.

The treatment involves inserting a very thin needle (similar to those used in acupuncture) into the affected muscle to provoke a local muscle contraction, followed by a loosening of the muscle fibers.

The needle acts on the ‘‘trigger points’’ in the muscle, briefly stimulating them. A trigger point corresponds to the most sensitive part of the muscle that becomes painful when the muscle contracts for too long. This can cause stiffness in parts of the body even far from where these points are located.

The name dry needling exists because the treatment is done without the need to use any type of fluid in the muscle. It is the ‘‘dry needle’’ itself that causes the recovery effect of the treatment. It should be clarified that this technique is based on Western anatomical and neuro-physiological principles and thus should not be confused with acupuncture, even if the same type of instrument is used.

What can be the causes of an overloaded ‘‘activation point’’ in our body ?

1. It can come acutely after a wrong movement or an accident.
2. A long-term bad posture accompanied by a chronic problem.
3. Repeated exertion, such as using the computer by overloading the arms, shoulders and/or neck.
4. Overuse or injury in athletes during sports practice.
5. In muscle spasms, such as after a meniscus lesion or a herniated disc.
6. When an area is not moved for a long period of time, such as through use of an orthosis or sling.
7. Psycho-emotional factors such as stress and depression.
8. Sleep disorders.