At Complete Sports Care we pride ourselves on a philosophy of providing the highest standard of care to manage and prevent injuries. We are guided by the evidence and focus on active management (rehabilitation exercise) to ensure long term outcomes that align to the values and goals of the people we work with.
For some people, these active approaches can be supported by adjunctive treatments such as shockwave, manual therapy or dry needling to help reduce your pain and support your active rehabilitation plan. This blog provides a brief overview of dry needling to help you understand how and when this treatment option might be useful for you.
What is Dry Needling?
Dry Needling (DN) is a treatment method where fine single use needles are inserted into altered or dysfunctional tissue to improve or restore function1. Needles are usually inserted into taught bands of muscle or connective tissue that may be contributing to your pain and limiting free and relaxed movement.
Depending on the specific techniques used, this method can assist in whole body and local pain reduction, decrease sensitivity of trigger points, and help reduce muscular tightness and spasm. The name ‘dry needling’ is largely used to distinguish it from other types of needling that involve injections of ‘wet’ substances into an affected area.
Is it the same as acupuncture?
Although there are some clear similarities, it is not the same. DN uses a western medical and anatomical approach to guide needle placements with the aim of restoring normal tissue function and reducing pain. In comparison, acupuncture uses traditional eastern philosophy that involves the utilisation of meridian or points based on an East Asian Medicine diagnosis and theories to treat local and systemic conditions.
How does it work?
DN may help to reduce pain, improve joint mobility, and reduce unwanted tissue tension and trigger points that may be slowing your rehabilitation and return to full activities. Although the precise mechanisms are complex and not fully known, dry needling is thought to decrease pain via local and central nervous system responses, as well as promote local physiological and chemical changes to restore homeostasis (normal balance) in the muscle tissue.
Which conditions dry needling be useful for?
Myofascial trigger points (palpable sore spots) and muscular guarding are commonly found in a range of musculoskeletal pain conditions, and the treatment can therefore be useful as an adjunct in a range of condition. Speak to your practitioner to discuss the suitability of this treatment option for you.
Who will perform the Dry Needling? Is it painful?
There is sometimes a small scratch as the needle penetrates the skin, but with skilled practitioners this is usually very minor. Depending on the specific needling methods used, some people experience some local and referred sensitivity and replication of their usual pain, but this should always remain tolerable. Your practitioner will guide you through the treatment to reduce any discomfort.
At Complete Sports Care all our clinical practitioners are a minimum of degree qualified, with excellent anatomical knowledge to ensure all appropriate precautions are taken during treatment.
What are the risks and side effects?
Dry needling is considered a safe treatment approach2, but like any invasive procedure, there are risks. Most adverse events are mild in nature, with serious adverse events considered to be very rare3. Mild adverse events can include minor bleeding or bruising, or an increase in discomfort during and immediately after treatment. These are likely to resolve within 1-2 days. Further details and the consent form can be found here.
For any further information, or if you would like to know whether dry needling might be a suitable options for you then get in touch on 9882 2020, or email tim@completesportscare.com.au
References
Australian Society of Acupuncture Physiotherapists (ASAP, 2013) Guidelines for safe acupuncture and dry needling practice.
Brady, S., McEvoy, J., Dommerholt, J., & Doody, C. (2014). Adverse events following trigger point dry needling: a prospective survey of chartered physiotherapists. The Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 22(3), 134–140. http://doi.org/10.1179/2042618613Y.0000000044
Dry Needling Adverse Events (2015) Physiotherapy Alberta https://w# www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/files/faq_dry_needling_adverse_events.pdf
n.b. a version of this blog was first published on the Complete Sports Care blog.