DRY NEEDLING
The aim of trigger point Dry Needling is to reduce muscle pain and dysfunction that is caused by tight bands within a muscle known as trigger points.
These are hyperirritable bands within a muscle that will cause pain. Once activated they cause altered muscle function that will result in muscle weakness, restricted joint movement, localised and referred pain.
It helps relax overactive muscles that contain trigger points causing referred pain. Dry Needling is based on Western Medicine and should not be confused with acupuncture (Traditional Chinese Medicine).
Although these techniques are very similar their basis is very different. Acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine aims to treat pain by using the flow of Chi (energy).
Dry Needling aims to treat pain by treating the affected muscle tone directly. By treating the shortened band within the muscle it will cause the muscle to relax reducing pain.
Benefits of Dry Needling
Dry Needling can be used in the treatment of the following musculoskeletal problems where trigger points are a contributing factor in the pain:
- Jaw pain
- Tennis and Golfers Elbow
- Tension Headaches
- Shoulder Pain
- Sciatica
- Knee pain
- Low Back Pain
- Hamstring Strains
- Chronic Calf Tightness and Cramping
- Foot and Heel Pain