Dry Needling
What is Dry Needling?
It involves inserting very thin, solid filiform needles (similar to acupuncture needles) into trigger points - tight bands of skeletal muscle or knots that can cause pain or restrict motion.
The term “dry” means that nothing is injected through the needle (unlike an injection or “wet” needling).
Benefits of Dry Needling:
Neuromuscular: Needling may disrupt the motor end plate (where nerve meets muscle), reducing abnormal electrical activity and muscle tension.
Mechanical: The needle stimulates a “local twitch response,” which can release tension in muscle fibers.
Biochemical: It may reduce local concentrations of pain-causing chemicals (like substance P or CGRP) and increase endorphins.
Central nervous system effects: Stimulating muscle and nerve receptors may modulate pain perception in the spinal cord and brain.