Pain Elimination Through Dry Needling Technique: What Is It and How Does It Work?

Pain is an universal experience, regardless of time, area or culture. In Canada alone, about one in four adults suffers with chronic discomfort at any particular moment, and often, it may be difficult to find a method for patients to enjoy relief. While there are many treatment methods offered for different types of pain, there aren't any singular solutions that work for everyone

Lessening pain is not always as simple as prescribing an opioid or anti-inflammatory drug. In reality, some patients can not take these medications due to risk issues like surgery, age or pre-existing conditions like hypertension.

That's why pain management experts throughout the country are relying on integrative medicine to complement conventional care and help clients manage their discomfort. One such cutting-edge medical treatment gaining recognition among healthcare service providers is referred to as "dry needling".

Dry needling is an alternate treatment for pain management performed by a physio therapist. It's frequently used in tandem with a wide range of other remedies such as massage therapy, heat or ice therapy, and exercise.

This treatment solution has been gaining popularity in pain management and physiotherapy centres throughout the country because of its ease of usage, efficacy, and low cost. In this post, you'll discover exactly what dry needling is, who may benefit from it and how it functions to soothe or get rid of pain.

 

What Is Dry Needling?

Dry needling, or intramuscular stimulation (IMS), is a kind of therapy that applies fine, sterile needles (just like acupuncture needles) that are inserted into specific connective tissues or muscles to activate the body's healing response and improve blood flow. While acupuncture uses a mix of tiny filaments inserted around the whole body, dry needling is performed with a single needle at one specific location.

Dry needling is thought to alleviate discomfort by stimulating the nerves and taking care of misplacements in joint, muscle and connective tissues. Dry needling is often made use of as a treatment option for muscle spasms, tight muscles and trigger points.

Overworked or injured muscle tissues are in some cases too weak to effectively stretch out and release, which can cause discomfort. If a client has pain in their shoulders, for instance, dry needling may be applied to help relax the pectoralis minor muscle, which is typically related to shoulder discomfort.

 

How Does Dry Needling Function?

Dry needling is thought to work by connecting with the nervous system and activating the body's normal discomfort reduction process. Once a needle is placed into an agonizing muscle or connective tissue, it's believed that the body generates a natural chemical substance known as serotonin.

Serotonin is an organically occurring chemical in the body that is associated with regulating sleep, mood and food digestion, to name a few physical functions. When serotonin is dispensed by the body, it journeys through the bloodstream and binds to receptors all through the body, including the central nerve system.

When these receptors are triggered, the body experiences a reduction in pain and anxiety, in addition to a boost in feelings of relaxation and calm. Other studies have shown that dry needling can stimulate the production of endorphins, which are another kind of neurotransmitter that can help in reducing discomfort and improve state of mind.

 

Benefits of Dry Needling

Dry needling has numerous benefits for clients struggling with long term or intense pain. It may be put to use as a component of a pain management plan in combination with other treatment methods such as exercise or massage. It is frequently utilized for treating musculoskeletal discomfort associated with the back, shoulders, knees and other joints, as well as sports injuries.

Dry needling is sometimes used instead of pain-killer drugs and other injection treatments due to its lower threat of negative reactions and consequences. Dry needling has also been revealed to be effective at lessening chronic pain and increasing function in people with back and knee pain, in addition to fibromyalgia symptoms.

 

Who Might Take Advantage Of Dry Needling?

Dry needling can be applied to treat a broad range of musculoskeletal conditions, including low pain in the back, neck discomfort, knee discomfort, shoulder pain and long term discomfort associated with repeated stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or computer-related injuries.

Dry needling has also been used to address fibromyalgia, which is a condition defined by persistent muscle pain and tiredness. Dry needling is regularly applied in conjunction with other treatments, including physiotherapy and medication, to alleviate fibromyalgia. Even patients that are not recovering from a particular injury or surgery can appreciate the advantages of dry needling.

 

Is Dry Needling Safe?

Dry needling is typically regarded as a safe therapy when carried out by an experienced professional. It is often combined with other treatments like massage or active stretching to enhance the benefit of the needling. There are some unusual drawbacks connected with dry needling, including bruising, bleeding, skin inflammation or infections.

Dry needling can also induce a mild negative response in some individuals, particularly those who are hypersensitive to the glue applied to hold the needles in place. It's essential to note that dry needling is different from acupuncture, which is oftentimes used to relieve pain and is often thought of as a complementary medical treatment. While dry needling is utilized to address discomfort, acupuncture is applied to treat a variety of conditions, including long term pain and anxiety.

 

How to Identify a Physiotherapy Centre Offering Dry Needling

If you're suffering with long term pain or severe injury pain, talk with your doctor about whether or not dry needling might be an alternative for you. Numerous discomfort management clinics and physiotherapy centres provide dry needling as a treatment option for persistent discomfort, particularly knee and back pain.

If you're interested in dry needling, ask your local area physiotherapist about what methods are made use of. Make certain the physiotherapist is accredited and uses sterilized filaments that are disposed of after one usage. It is likewise crucial to keep in mind that you really should steer clear of dry needling if you suffer from a blood clot condition, if you are pregnant, or if you use a pacemaker.

 

Final Thoughts

Dry needling is a sought-after pain management treatment that's frequently used to relieve low back discomfort, neck discomfort, knee pain, shoulder discomfort and long term pain associated with repetitive pressure injuries. Dry needling has also been used to treat fibromyalgia, a condition defined by long term muscle pain and tiredness. Dry needling may be utilized as one part of a pain management strategy in conjunction with other treatments like exercise or massage.

If you're living with long term discomfort, speak with your physiotherapist about whether dry needling might be a solution for you. Many clients discover that regular dry needling treatments help lessen their pain, and even eliminate it completely. Try dry needling to enjoy increased movement, lowered pain and a greater quality of life.

Give Country Hills Physiotherapy a call soon and we can schedule alleviating your pain. Now booking new clients!