Dry needling is a therapeutic technique used by all therapists at Hybrid Health Clinic – it involves inserting a fine, sterile needle into a specific point on the body, typically in muscles or trigger points, to relieve pain and improve movement. Unlike acupuncture, which is based on traditional Chinese medicine, dry needling is grounded in modern Western medicine and focuses on the musculoskeletal system.
The goal of dry needling is to stimulate the body’s natural healing response and release muscle tension by targeting trigger points or knots in the muscles. These trigger points can cause pain and stiffness, and dry needling can help to alleviate these symptoms by promoting blood flow and reducing muscle tension. It is often used in conjunction with other forms of physical therapy, such as exercise and manual therapy, to help improve overall function and reduce pain.
Dry needling can be helpful for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including:
- Myofascial pain syndrome: Dry needling can help relieve pain and muscle tension associated with myofascial pain syndrome by targeting trigger points in the affected muscles.
- Neck pain and headaches: Dry needling can be effective in reducing pain and improving range of motion in patients with neck pain and headaches, particularly those caused by trigger points in the neck and shoulder muscles.
- Low back pain: Dry needling can be used to treat low back pain by targeting trigger points in the lower back and hip muscles.
- Sports injuries: Dry needling can be helpful for athletes recovering from injuries, particularly those involving muscle strains, by reducing pain and promoting healing.
- Fibromyalgia: Dry needling can help reduce pain and improve function in patients with fibromyalgia by targeting trigger points in the affected muscles.
- Tendinitis and tendonopathy: Dry needling can be used to treat tendinitis and tendonopathy by promoting healing and reducing pain in the affected tendon.
It’s important to note that dry needling should always be performed by a qualified healthcare provider, such as a physiotherapist or chiropractor, who has been trained in the technique. All our physiotherapists and chiropractors at Hybrid Health Clinic have completed appropriate training and certification.