What is dry needling?
Dry needling is a new treatment method at Pain Away. Dry needling is similar in treatment to acupuncture. Muscles are punctured by means of a special technique, allowing the muscles to become quickly relaxed for a prolonged period of time.
Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
With acupuncture, multiple needles are superficially placed on the body, for a longer time period, to influence the ‘energy’ in the body. Dry needling only uses one needle, with which the muscle is briefly stimulated. Dry needling works at specific points in the muscles, so-called trigger points, and is not an ‘energy’ treatment.
What is a trigger point?
A trigger point is a ‘knot’ in a muscle that, in addition to the local pain, often causes a pain that spreads to other parts of the body. The physical therapist searches for these knots, because they can be the main cause of your complaints.
How are trigger points identified?
- Pain or stiffness in a certain muscle
- Pain spread to other parts of the body
- Limitations in the movement in associated joints
- Reduced strength in the muscles involved
- Pain-inducing behavior
- Tingling in the arm or leg
How can trigger points arise?
- Wrong sudden movement; accident or sport injury
- Chronic; wrong posture or RSI/CANS
- Long term absence of movement
- Slack ligaments in ankles or knees
- Psychological factors; stress or depression
What does the physical therapist do?
The physiotherapist will first analyze your complaints by means of a conversation and a specific investigation. Afterwards, the muscles are examined in more detail, which may cause your pain. Specifically, those muscles are searched for those conscious trigger points. Exactly those places will treat the physiotherapist to relax the muscles.
What does the treatment focus on?
The treatment is aimed at disabling these trigger points. These points can be relaxed in the muscle by means of a pointed needle. If you have long-term complaints, the therapist will often treat multiple muscles in your arm or leg, as well as the muscles along the spine.
What does dry needling feel like?
In general, you do not feel the insertion of the needle. If the correct trigger point is punctured, the muscle will briefly contract. That gives a kind of ‘cramping’ feeling. Then the muscle usually relaxes immediately and you will be able to move more easily. Often the treated muscles will feel tired and heavy, but that is usually of short duration.
What happens after the treatment?
Before you go home, you will receive advice on exercises and instructions on how to keep up with the improved situation.
