Dry Needling is an amazing treatment technique that can be used for many acute and chronic presentations. It is a minimally invasive procedure where fine needles (the same needles used in acupuncture) are inserted into muscles. The needles target myofascial trigger points, a fancy way to say tight spots in the muscle. These myofascial trigger points are often hypersensitive and associated with pain, commonly felt as palpable knots or taut bands. 

Dry Needling Increases Blood Flow

Firstly, it increases blood flow. Pain caused by trigger points is due to hypoxia (low oxygen) and decreased blood flow within the trigger point. When muscles contract, they occlude blood flow, think about this, clench your fist for 5 minutes - after 30 seconds, you might notice your knuckles start to whiter, your hand starts to ache and your grip seems to fatigue. After a few minutes, you need to shake your hand out and open and close your fingers, stimulating blood flow, and your hand feels normal again. 

Lack of blood flow decreases pH, activating the muscle pain receptors (nociceptors) to restore homeostasis. Placement of Dry Needles into muscular trigger points increases blood flow and helps the muscle relax. 

Dry Needling Creates a Local Twitch Response

Secondly, dry needling can induce a ‘local twitch response’, described as an involuntary spinal cord reflex stimulation. A spinal cord reflex is similar to a patella tendon jerk reflex. Remember when your Physio or Doctor tests your reflexes using a reflex hammer? The most common one people know is the patella tendon reflex. Hitting the patella tendon at the right spot causes your leg to kick outwards. What also happens after the kick is that the portion falls back down again. So you get a contraction and then a subsequent relaxation of the muscle.  

The ‘Local Twitch Response’ is suggested to reduce concentrations of chemicals found in active myofascial trigger points such as calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P, serotonin & interleukins (Shah et al. 2008). The reduction in these pain-producing chemicals is thought to be due to increased blood flow and changes to pain fibre firing (nociceptor fibres). Typically, clients can feel a reduction in pain instantaneously or might notice a dull ache that resolves within 12 to 24 hours post-treatment. 

Dry Needling Stimulates the body’s endogenous opiate-like chemicals (endorphin & serotonin)

Dry needling also stimulates the release of the body’s endogenous opiate-like chemicals, such as endorphin and serotonin. These chemicals positively affect the brain and spinal cord, reducing nociceptive input (pain signals to the brain). These findings about acupuncture may be able to be extrapolated to dry needling. However, more research is needed. 

It Stimulates Neuroplasticity in the Brain

Lastly, Dry needling can positively impact pain; therefore, spinal cord levels affect the brain’s chemistry. From a rehabilitation point of view, if we can decrease someone's pain and then provide movement back into their system, their brain learns from these experiences and, follow-on as a follow-on effect, rewires and creates new pathways. 

Interestingly, a part of the brain called the somatosensory cortex, which is the part of the brain where you perceive your body,  changes due to chronic pain. Australian Professors of Pain Science Lorimer Moseley & David Butler describe a phenomenon called ‘smudging’, where your perception of your body changes due to pain. This then decreases the accuracy of pain signals and may result in pain almost being learnt as a habit rather than from a structural issue or injury. Dry needling may offer a way to break the chronic pain cycle and allow movement, strength work and rehab to happen that can create a positive experience and, therefore, change the brain's circuitry and reverse smudging. 

The effects of dry needling can vary from individual to individual. It is one treatment modality we can offer, but it can rarely solve someone's pain in isolation, allowing them to move more freely. Incorporated as part of a rehab program, it can offer a very effective means to relieve someone's pain, enabling them to move more freely and strengthen in the right areas. 

How long does it take for dry needling to work?

The effectiveness and timeline for dry needling to work can vary widely from person to person and depend on several factors, including the specific condition being treated, the individual's overall health, and the practitioner’s skill. Dry needling is a therapeutic technique to alleviate pain and improve muscle function by inserting thin needles into tight muscles or trigger points. Some people may experience immediate relief after a session, while others may require multiple sessions over some time.

In many cases, individuals may notice some improvement in their symptoms within a few hours to a couple of days after their first dry-needling session. However, it may take several sessions spread out over several weeks for more chronic or complex issues to achieve lasting results. The process often involves an initial assessment and a treatment plan tailored to the individual's needs. Regular follow-up appointments may be necessary to track progress and adjust the treatment plan. It's essential to maintain open communication with the healthcare provider performing the dry needling to ensure the therapy works effectively and to discuss any concerns or changes in symptoms. While some immediate relief may be experienced, the full benefits of dry needling may take time to manifest, and individual experiences can vary significantly.

Why Should I see a Dry Needling Physio Melbourne?

Seeing a dry-needling physiotherapist can offer several potential benefits for individuals with musculoskeletal pain or mobility issues. First and foremost, these specialised professionals are trained to assess and treat various musculoskeletal conditions using dry needling as a part of their therapeutic arsenal. Dry needling involves the insertion of thin needles into trigger points or tight muscles to alleviate pain and improve muscle function.

One significant advantage of seeing a dry needling physio is their ability to provide a comprehensive evaluation of your condition. They can assess your overall musculoskeletal health, identify the underlying causes of your pain or dysfunction, and create a personalised treatment plan that may include dry needling alongside other physiotherapy techniques. This holistic approach addresses the symptoms and root causes of your issue, promoting long-term relief and improved function.

Furthermore, dry-needling physio have extensive anatomy and musculoskeletal biomechanics training, allowing them to precisely target problematic areas and reduce the risk of adverse effects. Their expertise in integrating dry needling into a broader treatment strategy can result in more effective and sustainable outcomes than seeking dry needling from practitioners with less specialised training. Consulting a dry-needling physiotherapist can offer a well-rounded and evidence-based approach to managing pain and optimising physical well-being.