Even though the name may come off as a bit daunting happens to be a safe and minimally discomforting treatment. It is used for the effective treatment of musculoskeletal problems one may be suffering from. Most centers for physiotherapy in Dubai offer dry needling.
What is Dry Needling?
In dry needling, a thin monofilament needle penetrates the skin, targeting and treating the muscular trigger points for managing movement impairments and neuro-musculoskeletal pain. Trigger point happens to be a tight band or local contracture in the muscle fiber that can restrict the range of motion, disrupt function, or cause local tenderness or pain. They are usually located on our arms, back, and neck.
When a dry needle is inserted in a trigger point or dysfunctional muscle, it increases blood flow and decreases tightness while reducing both local and referred pain. Trained and skilled physical therapists perform this procedure.
Dry needling can help in treating:
- Achilles tendonitis
- Headaches
- Hip and Gluteal Pain
- Knee pain
- Plantar fasciitis
- Shoulder pain
Acupuncture and Dry Needling: Are They Same?
No, acupuncture and dry needling are two different philosophies. Experts insert thin needles into certain parts of the body in both of these methods. And they use similar tools in both of these procedures and that’s about it. However, the key difference is that during dry needling, they leave needles in place for 15 to 30 minutes. It is great for treating internal ailments, chronic pain, insomnia, stress, and digestive problems. On the other hand, in acupuncture, they insert needles into the points along the meridian lines.
When you insert needles into trigger points, they respond which helps in releasing the trigger point or adhesive tissue and restoring normal function. Likewise, experts can diagnose particular trigger points beforehand in the muscle tissue. This is different from acupuncture treatment. The acupuncture treatment involves puncturing acupuncture points in some tissue types for different results.
Acupuncture is based on Chinese medicine while needling follows the Western method. Different practitioners with different training perform dry needling. It involves the evaluation of pain patterns, posture, function, movement impairments, and orthopedic tests. It focuses on balancing the body’s energy flow. The needle insertion itself stimulates release in the trigger point. And you don’t inject any solutions into the muscle.
Health Benefits of Dry Needling Facts
Here are some of the key benefits of dry needling:
Effective in Reducing Pain and Soreness
If you are suffering from pain and soreness in certain areas of the body, you can consider this therapeutic technique. Also, if you are fine with sterile needles that don’t necessarily cause you pain, it is worth trying. Only specially trained physical therapists can use a thin needle for relieving inflammation, release muscle tightness, help ease tendonitis, and promote healing.
Sometimes, the incorporation of manual techniques and exercises is also an effective solution to your problem and better results.
Assists in Relieving Chronic Muscle Tightness
The dry needling technique stimulates a trigger point in the skeletal muscle that we commonly call bunched muscle or a knot. These knots can lead to pain that extends beyond the muscle it is found in. Myofascial pain syndrome is another name for a trigger point. It is a tight band of skeletal muscle present inside a larger muscle group.
