Dry Needling

Dry Needling is a treatment that is used to relieve pain and improve function through the use of a thin needle inserted deep into the muscle tissue to target "knots" or trigger points.

The term "dry" simply means that the needles do not inject any fluid or medication into your body. 

When a muscle is overused or injured, it can get stuck in a state of constant contraction—a knot. This area often has poor blood flow and becomes acidic and painful. Dry needling works through three main stages:

• The Physical Release: The needle enters a trigger point, causing the muscle to give a quick, involuntary "twitch."This is called a Local Twitch Response. Think of it like hitting a "reset" button on a computer that has frozen.

• The Chemical Flush: The tiny "micro-trauma" from the needle signals your body to send fresh, oxygen-rich blood to the area. This flushes out the acidic chemicals that were causing the pain.

• The Nervous System Signal: The needle prick stimulates your nerves to tell your brain to release endorphins, which are your body’s natural painkillers.

Dry needling is rarely used alone; it is usually part of a larger recovery plan (like physical therapy) to help you get back to normal faster.

Benefit

• Pain Relief

  • Deactivates painful knots that cause localized or "referred" pain (pain that travels to other areas).

• Restored Movement

  • By relaxing tight muscle bands, it allows your joints to move through their full range of motion again.

• Accelerated Healing

  • The increased blood flow brings the nutrients needed to repair damaged tissue.

• Improved Function

  • Helps "weak" muscles that were inhibited by pain to start firing and working correctly again.

• The Sensation: You might feel a dull ache or a quick "pinch," followed by the muscle twitching. It’s often described as a "good hurt" that signifies the muscle is releasing.

• Post-Treatment: It is normal to feel some muscle soreness for 24–48 hours, similar to how you feel after a heavy workout.