Dry needling is used by qualified physiotherapists as an adjunct to traditional physiotherapy treatments for a variety of musculoskeletal problems including but not limited to tennis elbow, headaches, calf spasm/ tightness, hamstring strains, jaw pain and back pain.
Dry needling is a treatment technique similar to acupuncture, in which a thin filament needle is inserted into the muscle sitting underneath the skin surface. The needle is inserted into a myofascial trigger point, which is like a taut band of muscular tissue (similar to a “knot”) that accumulates in areas of mechanical stress.
Dry needling is thought to encourage biochemical and mechanical changes, reducing pain and increasing muscle length. Inserting a needle into the trigger point creates a noxious stimulus to the tissue that then reacts by releasing neurochemicals such as endorphins and corticosteroids. The body responds to the chemical change by increasing the flow of oxygen and nutrient rich blood to the site, acting like a healing mechanism.