Everything you need to know about Trigger point dry needling
What is Dry Needling?
Trigger point Dry Needling (or Functional Dry Needling / FDN) is a therapeutic technique used by physical therapists to treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. It involves inserting a thin, sterile monofilament needle into specific muscle points known as trigger points. This process helps to relieve pain, improve movement, and restore function by targeting a source of discomfort and dysfunction within the muscle tissue and its interaction with the nervous system. No injection or medication is utilized in this process.
How Does Dry Needling Work?
Trigger points are tight bands or knots within muscles that can cause pain and limit movement. Active trigger points are painful regardless of what activity you are doing. They can cause pain locally and refer pain to different areas of the body. Latent trigger points are present but only noticed when direct pressure is applied to the area, but they can still impact how your body moves.
Dry needling stimulates a twitch response in the muscle fibers by inserting needles into these points. This response helps to:
Release muscle tension
Improve blood flow
Reduce inflammation
Promote the healing process
The needles used in dry needling are similar to those used in acupuncture but are used differently. While acupuncture focuses on balancing the body's energy (Qi) according to traditional Chinese medicine, trigger point dry needling specifically targets musculoskeletal issues based on modern Western medicine principles.
Benefits of Functional Dry Needling
Trigger Point Dry Needling offers several benefits, including:
Pain Relief: Effective for treating chronic pain conditions such as lower back pain, neck pain, and headaches by downregulating the pain signal going to the brain and increasing local blood flow to the area to clear out the chemicals creating the pain signal.
Improved Mobility: Helps to release tight muscles and improve range of motion.
Enhanced Recovery: Speeds up recovery from injuries by promoting the healing of muscle tissues.
Performance Enhancement: Beneficial for athletes by reducing muscle tension and improving flexibility and strength.
Conditions Treated with Functional Dry Needling
Dry Needling can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including:
Muscle strains and sprains (for instance, low back pain, hip pain, neck pain)
Tendinitis and tendinopathies (for instance, golfer’s and tennis elbow, jumper’s knee, hamstring issues)
Headaches
TMJ, TMD, Jaw pain
Myofascial pain syndrome
Chronic pain conditions
Sports injuries
Post-surgical pain and stiffness
What to Expect During and after a Session
During a functional dry needling session, your physical therapist will:
Assess your condition and identify trigger points.
Insert thin, sterile needles into the identified trigger points.
Manipulate the needles to elicit a twitch response.
Monitor your response and adjust treatment as needed.
Some patients may feel slight discomfort or twitching during the process, but this is generally well-tolerated.
After the dry needling session, performing exercises that reintroduce loading to the tissues is vital. The movement will increase the cardiovascular and lymphatic flow through the area to further assist with pain modulation by clearing out toxic buildup and delivering endorphins, your body's natural painkillers, to the area.
Soreness in the area after the intervention may last 24-48 hours following the intervention. It’s essential to keep moving and drink plenty of water to help flush the system.
Is Functional Dry Needling Safe?
Functional Dry Needling is a safe and effective treatment by a trained and licensed physical therapist. The risk of side effects is minimal, the most common being temporary soreness or bruising at the needle insertion sites. Your therapist will take all necessary precautions to ensure a safe and comfortable experience.
To perform dry needling, the physical therapist is required to undergo extensive training. This training includes studying human anatomy and hands-on practice. These training sessions are often a weekend course or even several weekend courses.
Who Should Avoid Functional Dry Needling?
Dry needling is safe for most individuals. Your physical therapist will thoroughly assess whether dry needling is appropriate for your condition. In general, you should avoid dry needling if you:
Have a fear of needles
Have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood-thinning medications
Are pregnant (in some regions of the body)
Have an infection at the needle site
Conclusion
Dry Needling is a powerful tool in the hands of skilled physical therapists, offering significant relief for a wide range of musculoskeletal issues. If you’re struggling with pain or limited mobility, dry needling may be a valuable addition to your treatment plan. Consult with your physical therapist to learn more about how Functional dry-needling can help you achieve your health and wellness goals.
References
Firth C, Meon J, Price M, Taylor J, Grace S. Dry Needling: A literature Review. Journal of the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society . 2020;26(1):22-28.
Firth, C., Meon, J., Price, M., Taylor, J., & Grace, S. (2020). Dry needling: A literature review part 2. Journal of the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society, 26(2), 104–107. https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.631564579423141
