Dry Needling

Dry needling is a treatment procedure where your osteopath inserts fine acupuncture needles into the skin and muscles. The theory behind dry needling is that it targets a phenomenon known as “trigger points”. A trigger point is referred to as a tight or hyperirritable spot in the skeletal muscle. It is theorised that trigger points can result in local pain or referred pain to a different region. For example trigger points in the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius muscles can refer pain or tension in the hamstring muscles.

By inserting these fine needles into these active trigger points, it can therefore “trigger” a release to either the local and referred structures. It is important to note that dry needling is not the same as acupuncture even though the needles are acupuncture needles. It is also important to note that dry needling, although highly researched, has mechanisms behind it that are not well understood, including the theory of “trigger points”.

What we can appreciate from the research is that dry needling modulates pain/tension via central and peripheral nervous system mechanisms. The stimulus from the needles into the skeletal muscles causes a response in the nervous system. This response may result in a perceived sensation of reduced muscle tension/pain and improved joint range of motion.