Dry needling is a form of therapy in which filiform needles are inserted into myofascial trigger points, tendons, ligaments, musculotendinous junctions, teno-osseus junctions, bone ("periosteal pecking") or near nerves in order to stimulate a healing response in painful musculoskeletal conditions.
Peri-neural needling is performed for the purpose of improving microcirculation and disrupting fibrosis in chronic neurogenic pain syndromes. Dry needling is a lot more than sticking needles in trigger points!!
Brain imaging studies have demonstrated that needling of "key" distal points (not trigger point) stimulates the descending pain inhibitory systems or cortical areas of the brain that are involved in pain control.
Dry needling is NOT acupuncture or Oriental Medicine.
Dry needling is a modern, science-based intervention for the treatment of pain and dysfunction in musculoskeletal conditions such as knee pain, shin splints, achilles tendonosus, plantar fasciitis, and lower back pain.
Minor bleeding or bruising occurs after dry needling in 15-20% of treatments and is normal. Temporary pain during dry needling occurs in 60-70% of treatments. Soreness is expected for 5-7 days with a minimal to moderate reduction of pain within that time frame.
