What is Dry Needling?
Dry Needling is an effective and efficient technique for the treatment of muscular pain and myofascial dysfunction. Your remedial massage therapist or Myotherapist may ask if you’d like to try dry needling as a part of your treatment if:
- You have extremely tight muscles containing trigger points.
- You are particularly sensitive to strong pressure when getting massage.
- You have a muscle that they cannot release purely by using trigger point therapy.
- You have had the tight muscles for a really long time and nothing as worked before.
- You’re looking for quick results and significant improvement in flexibility.
Myotherapists and remedial massage therapist use dry needling with the goal of releasing trigger points commonly known as ‘knots’ to relieve pain or improve range of motion. Research supports that dry needling improves pain control, and reduces muscle tension.
What happens when your remedial massage therapist or Myotherapist does dry needling?
To sum it up, your remedial massage or Myotherapist will use very fine, specially designed needle and insert it into muscle's trigger point. They use several needles in one treatment. Your Myotherapist will palpate the area and find the trigger point. They then insert the needle, which should feel like no more than a pin prick. Your Remedial Massage or Myotherapist will then wait a few minutes or address another area of your body as the needle ‘does it’s thing!’ That is loosens the muscles up with minimal pain! Your massage or Myotherapist will then come back and recheck the area to make sure the needle is doing it’s job and finally take is out, which again involves minimal pain.
Does it hurt?
How long is a piece of string? Short answer is No! The insertion of needles should be painless! However you may feel a slight tingling or heaviness and some times a slight ache after they are inserted, this is very common and considered a good sign.
Acupuncture needles are nothing like a medicine needle they are extremely thin and in some cases as thin as a strand of hair.
If you do experience any pain tell your massage therapist or Myotherapist immediately and they will remove the needle. (This can happen but it is not common.)
Acupuncture needles are nothing like a medicine needle they are extremely thin and in some cases as thin as a strand of hair.
If you do experience any pain tell your massage therapist or Myotherapist immediately and they will remove the needle. (This can happen but it is not common.)
What is the difference between Dry Needling and Acupuncture?
The major difference comes down to philosophy. Dry Needling is based on Western anatomical and neurophysiological principles and Acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. Confusing? They both use needles but both have completely different schools of thought.
- Dry Needling is NOT Acupuncture.
- Dry Needling is based on Western Science and Acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine.
- Dry Needling has been proven to be effective at managing physical pain.
Who can benefit from Dry Needling?
Almost anyone can benefit from dry needling and it is worth asking your Myotherapist or Remedial Massage Therapist to give it a try!
If you have any of the following it would be worth adding dry needling into your massage or Myotherapy session:
If you have any of the following it would be worth adding dry needling into your massage or Myotherapy session:
- Muscle tightness that doesn’t seem to want to shift.
- If you have injured yourself in the past 24 – 48 hours ie woken up with w wry neck
- You suffer from Headaches or neck pain it works wonders.
- You are trying to improve your flexibility or posture.
- You suffer from lower back pain, ‘sciatica,’ elbow/ wrist pain or knee pain.
- Have scar tissue from old muscle tears.
- You don't like really hard massage but know you have tight muscles.
What Kind of Needles Are Used?
Dry needling involves a thin filiform needle that penetrates the skin and stimulates underlying myofascial trigger points and muscular and connective tissues.
What qualifications do you need to do Dry Needling?
At Just Knead It - Remedial Massage and Myotherapy we believe in providing superior care. Our Remedial Massage Therapists and Myotherapists must have completed a certified course in Dry Needling from a reputable company as well as pass internal skills assessments to ensure that you get the best possible care. Our massage therapists and Myotherapists also participate in ongoing internal training and professional development in dry needling techniques.