Last updated 27/12/2023 by The pain clinics - Interdisciplinary Health

What is dry needling? How does needle treatment work?

Dry needling is intramuscular needle therapy without added power. Dry needling is used for muscle pain and a variety of other conditions, including tennis elbow og lumbago.

What is dry needling?

Dry needle is a treatment technique that is used in the treatment of, among other things sore muscles and painful areas of the body. In the treatment, sterilized acupuncture needles are used which are then set against active trigger points / muscle nodes. Drying against overactive muscle will cause a contraction or contraction (also known as twitch) in the muscle, which will cause muscle activity to decrease. The plug itself will also be interpreted as a microtrauma (something similar to what happens at Shockwave Therapy), which in turn will cause the body to increase blood circulation towards this area - which in turn leads to increased regeneration / healing.

Dry needling can be effective against both acute and chronic muscle pain - it can also promote healing in a number of musculoskeletal conditions. Needle therapy has proven effect against muscle pain in the elderly.

Here is an example of needle treatment.

Read more in this work of literature: Atlas of Acupuncture (click on the link to read more)

How is dry pinning done?

Normally, dry needling can be applied directly to the therapist against treated areas, and the number of needles will vary based on the condition. Based on the pain and the condition you want to treat, it can take several treatments (not abnormal that it can take up to 6-10 treatments) before you achieve full recovery. Dry needle is often used as a supplement to joint mobilization, muscle techniques and the like - by among others physiotherapists, chiropractors og manual therapists.

- What is a trigger point?

A trigger point, or muscle node, occurs when muscle fibers have departed from their normal orientation and regularly contract into a more knot-like formation. You may think of it as if you have several strands lying in a row next to each other, nicely assorted, but when placed crosswise you are closer to a visual image of a muscle knot. This may be due to a sudden overload, but most normally it is due to gradual failure over an extended period of time. A muscle becomes painful, or symptomatic, when the dysfunction becomes so severe that it becomes pain. In other words, it's time to do something about it.

Also read: - Muscle pain? This is why!

Also read: Ginger for muscle pain?

Also read: What is cupping / vacuum treatment?

Also read: Infrared light therapy - can it help me fight my pain?

Sources:

Nakkeprolaps.no (Learn everything you need to know about neck prolapse, including exercises and prevention).

Vitalistic-Chiropractic.com (A comprehensive search index where you can find a recommended therapist).