What Is Dry Needling
Dry needling, despite the name’s scary connotations, is a safe and frequently successful procedure for reducing pain with little discomfort. Short, delicate stainless steel needles are put into your skin during this procedure. It is known as dry needling because the filiform needles, also known as monofilament needles, do not inject fluid into your body.
Knotted muscles, also known as trigger points, can develop into a chronic cause of pain that extends beyond the knot, and other portions of your body frequently experience pain when you touch the trigger point.
The trigger point continues to activate nerves and transmit pain signals to your brain as long as it is present. This constant stimulation increases nerve sensitivity, which in turn increases the discomfort associated with trigger points. So one of the most effective techniques to stop the loop of trigger point discomfort is dry needling.
How Does Dry Needling Work
There is more to this method than just poking a dry needle into your skin to improve your condition. There’s some science at work here. A lesion caused by needling triggers a series of physiological processes that repair damaged and inflammatory soft tissue. It swaps out damaged tissue for brand-new tissue of the same kind.
Overall, needling is helpful because it simply stimulates your body to heal the wound and lessen the discomfort by itself. Some individuals mistakenly believe that needling entails injecting medication into your body but rest assured that there is no medication injected, and the technique is almost completely painless.
Benefits of Dry Needling
Similar to an acupuncture needle, dry needles, when inserted into the trigger point, relax the muscles, increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, and start the healing process. Additionally, this procedure enhances nerve conduction and triggers the production of your body’s natural painkillers. Let’s explore the benefits of the dry needling technique.
Relieves Pain
Most people relate trigger points to tense shoulders, the upper back and neck muscles. However, the same issue can occur anywhere in your body and be linked to a variety of ailments, including neck and low back discomfort, joint pain, and overuse injuries.
As the knot loosens and blood flow increases, your pain decreases. With improved circulation, the uncomfortable, acidic wastes are removed, and your muscles are given the oxygen and nutrition they require to repair.
After one dry needling technique session, many patients notice a rapid decrease in both localised and generalised pain. Others might require multiple treatments to experience the most pain relief. The severity and quantity of your trigger points will determine your therapy strategy.
Improves Range of Motion
Few things make you immobile more than tense, aching muscles. If you have several trigger points, your mobility may be very restricted. Additionally, your muscles deteriorate and lose mass when you aren’t active.
In order to properly recover your range of motion and develop your strength, at Magda Clinic I frequently combine dry needling techniques with a physical therapy regimen. Your muscles are retrained during physical therapy, which aids in preventing further trigger points.
Speeds Up Recovery
The recovery period is always the toughest and most time-consuming aspect of an injury. Although certain injuries do demand longer recovery times than others, we are always eager to return to optimal health.
At Magda Clinic, my patients have reported a greater range of motion and speedier pain alleviation with dry needling. One of the main advantages of dry needling therapy is that it has the ability to heal wounds more quickly than other types of treatment.
Relaxes Tight Muscles
One possible form of pain is a stiff or knotted muscle. It occurs when the fibres of your muscles contract and do not relax. Knots and stiffness are frequently brought on by stress, injury, a pinched nerve, or other irregularities in your body.
Muscle knots, or myofascial trigger points can be painful and difficult to move.
Initially, your muscle twitches when dry needling relaxes the myofascial trigger points but later on the muscle returns to its extended state, allowing for normal mobility.
Accelerates the Natural Healing Process
Your body’s trigger points can be accessed with a fine, pointed needle to relax the muscles, increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, and start a healing response.
Additionally, this healing procedure enhances nerve conduction and sends out signals that cause your body to release endorphins, which are analgesics and naturally occurring painkillers. This simply means that they reduce the sense of pain and accelerate the natural healing process.
Is Dry Needling Painful?
Dry needling is a painless technique. Why? The needles are tiny and quite sharp, so inserting them doesn’t hurt. It resembles receiving a shot or having blood taken. Quick and painless.
You’ll unavoidably twitch as the needles pierce your flesh. For one to two days following your treatment, your muscles may experience mild discomfort or soreness, but the aftereffects are comparable to the soreness felt after a strenuous workout.
What Is The Recovery Time?
It varies. However, movement usually occurs straight away, and pain usually subsides within 24 to 48 hours. You should anticipate feeling a little sore after receiving needling therapy. It’s natural. A notable, long-lasting effect often requires a few treatment sessions (once per week for 2-3 weeks).
Get Dry Needling Done at Magda Clinic
If you’re reading this, you probably have some kind of physical pain and are wondering if dry needling is a treatment that would help you get rid of the pain. If you’d like the best dry-needling service in Townsville, book your visit now.