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.

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