Dry Needling consists of inserting a needle to stimulate the healing process of soft tissues (“Trigger points” of muscles, fascia, tendons, and ligaments, etc.), resulting in pain relief and restoration of neuromusculoskeletal function[1]Dunning J, Butts R, Mourad F, Young I, Flannagan S, Perreault T. Dry needling: a literature review with implications for clinical practice guidelines. Physical therapy reviews. 2014 Aug … Continue reading.
Dry Needling is the name of the treatment for myofascial pain that has become popular among doctors, health professionals, and patients.
It is a relatively simple, fast, safe, and effective therapeutic method for controlling intentional injuries and musculoskeletal inflammation[2]Kietrys DM, Palombaro KM, Azzaretto E, Hubler R, Schaller B, Schlussel JM, Tucker M. Effectiveness of dry needling for upper-quarter myofascial pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. journal of … Continue reading.
Dry Needling of the trigger point can be performed at the superficial or deep tissue level, bringing pain relief.
After the first session, a significant improvement can be achieved for several patients with myofascial pain. The trigger points can be sore up to 72 hours after the procedure (muscle pain is bearable, some do not have post-treatment pain), and the body will react positively during the next five days.
The amount of time it takes for dry needling to improve pain depends on the severity and cause of the pain. It is difficult to predict how quickly a person will experience pain relief from dry needling, as the response to the treatment varies from person to person.
Generally, a person may begin to experience relief within a few days to a few weeks of treatment for chronic myofascial pain syndrome.
According to Gattie, et al., “Dry needling has been shown to immediately increase pressure pain threshold (PPT) and range of motion, decrease muscle tone, and decrease pain in patients with musculoskeletal conditions.”[3]Gattie E, Cleland JA, Snodgrass S. The effectiveness of trigger point dry needling for musculoskeletal conditions by physical therapists: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Orthopaedic … Continue reading
The Effectiveness of Trigger Point Dry Needling for Musculoskeletal Conditions by Physical Therapists: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Dry needling
Dry Needling is indicated to treat acute and chronic pain, such as that caused by fibromyalgia, a chronic pain syndrome. It can also be recommended for more common cases such as headaches, low back pain, sciatica or adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), plantar fasciitis and whiplash syndrome.
The needles used are the same as for acupuncture. They are sterilized stainless steel needles, thinner than human hair.
Because they are very thin, they do not cause pain. However, while in acupuncture, the person may feel a slight tingling, in dry Needling, the sensation described is as if the muscle grabbed the needle, followed by a moment of muscle relaxation.
Dry needling indications
- Relieve acute and chronic muscle pain;
- Relieve muscle tension;
- Increase flexibility and range of motion;
- Promote muscle relaxation;
- Help reduce inflammation;
- Reduce or eliminate muscle spasms;
- Increase blood circulation;
- Reduce trigger point pressure;
- Promote the development of muscle strength;
- Assist with injury recovery.
What is the trigger point?
The trigger point is a palpable and hypersensitive nodule that causes pain and functional limitation in the muscles. Located in muscle bands, it is associated with the shortening of sarcomeres due to biochemical dysfunction, pH change, hypoxia, or increased concentration of substance P.
It is the leading cause of musculoskeletal disorders, accompanied by pain, spasm, stiffness, and muscle weakness in 30-85% of cases.
Dry Needling removes pain signals from trigger points and improves acetylcholine levels in motor endplates, which enhances overall tissue healing, pain, and function.
Many other mechanical, chemical/cellular, electrophysiological and neurophysiological effects also occur. The procedure can relieve allodynia present in the myofascial taut band region and hyperalgesia secondary to referred pain.
MD, PhD. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physician from São Paulo - Brazil. Pain Fellowship in University of São Paulo.
References
| ↑1 | Dunning J, Butts R, Mourad F, Young I, Flannagan S, Perreault T. Dry needling: a literature review with implications for clinical practice guidelines. Physical therapy reviews. 2014 Aug 1;19(4):252-65. |
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| ↑2 | Kietrys DM, Palombaro KM, Azzaretto E, Hubler R, Schaller B, Schlussel JM, Tucker M. Effectiveness of dry needling for upper-quarter myofascial pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy. 2013 Sep;43(9):620-34. |
| ↑3 | Gattie E, Cleland JA, Snodgrass S. The effectiveness of trigger point dry needling for musculoskeletal conditions by physical therapists: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2017 Mar;47(3):133-49. |