Dry Needling

Dry needling is a safe modality where fine disposable, sterile needles are inserted into palpable tender spots known as myofascial trigger points. Myofascial Trigger Points can be defined as the hypersensitive nodes and taut bands that are a result of hyperirritable spots in the skeletal muscle. These spots produce pain upon compression and normally illicit referred pain, in line with radiculopathy patterns of specific muscles affected.

During the process of dry needling, these high quality, single use needles penetrate the skin to effect on the underlying skeletal muscle, this stimulating the nervous system to illicit a desired response.

It is different from traditional Chinese acupuncture in that the needles are not inserted into meridian lines although many dry needling points are the same. The aim of dry needling is to increase blood supply and neural stimulation, while reducing muscle spasm and pain.