Dry Needling to Reduce Muscular Pain and Tension

Dry Needling involves the insertion of very thin filiform stainless-steel needles through the skin and into muscular (sometimes called intramuscular stimulation) trigger points (a tight band of skeletal muscle located within the muscle) for the purpose of relieving muscle pain and muscle tension/spasming that is producing a movement impairment. In addition, myofascial and other connective tissues can also be targeted.

An increasing number of physical therapists are receiving training in the safe and effective application of dry needling as another way to treat their patients suffering from muscle pain and tension as well as fibromyalgia pain. Because muscle tension can adversely affect range of motion, dry needling is also used to help a spasming muscle relax in preparation to be more effectively stretched for better range of motion.

There are different techniques of applying dry needling including “in-and-out techniques” where the needles are inserted and then shortly after removed. The “non-trigger point technique” involves the insertion of the needles around trigger points and is based on the premise that pain involves a broader origin than just muscle to include the nervous system.

Because of its reported effects in relieving pain and muscular tension, dry needling is rapidly gaining acceptance in the medical field and movement therapies.

Potential side effects of dry needling

While the insertion of the needles into the skin and underlying muscle may produce a small degree of discomfort, there is the potential for some side effects in and around the insertion site. These include bleeding, bruising, and some lingering soreness. Of course, because the needle is penetrating the protective layer of skin, the needle must be sterile and only used once to avoid the risk of infection or contracting a bloodborne pathogen.

The size of the dry needle used in dry needling therapy is determined by several factors:

1.      Target Tissue Depth: The depth of the muscle or tissue being targeted is a primary factor. Deeper tissues require longer needles, while superficial tissues can be treated with shorter needles.

2.      Patient Anatomy: The size and body type of the patient also influence needle choice. Larger or more muscular individuals may require longer needles to reach the target tissue effectively.

3.      Treatment Area: Different areas of the body may require different needle sizes. For example, treating the back or gluteal muscles may necessitate longer needles compared to treating the forearm or face.

4.      Therapist's Experience and Preference: The practitioner's experience and comfort level with different needle sizes can influence the choice. More experienced therapists might use longer or finer needles as they become more skilled.

5.      Patient Comfort and Tolerance: Patient comfort and tolerance to needle insertion are also important. Finer needles may be chosen to minimize discomfort, especially for patients who are sensitive or anxious about needles.

6.      Specific Condition Being Treated: Certain conditions or treatment protocols may dictate the use of specific needle lengths and gauges.

Typically, needle lengths can range from 15mm to 100mm, and the gauge can vary from 0.16mm to 0.30mm. The appropriate combination is selected based on the above factors to ensure effective and safe treatment.

ProHealthcareProducts.com sells high quality APS dry needles by Agupunt.