What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a treatment technique that uses very fine needles to target specific areas of muscle tension or irritation. Despite the name, nothing is injected into the muscle. The needle itself is used to stimulate the tissue and encourage a response in tight or sensitive areas. I may use dry needling as part of […]
Does Dry Needling Hurt?
This is probably one of the first questions people ask me. The needle itself is very fine, and many patients barely notice it entering the skin. When a tight area of muscle is stimulated, however, you may feel a brief twitch, cramp or deep aching sensation. It can feel unusual, but the sensation is generally […]
What Is the Muscle Twitch During Dry Needling?
That sudden little muscle jump can be surprising if you’ve never experienced dry needling before. It’s often referred to as a local twitch response and happens when the muscle reacts to stimulation from the needle. The sensation is usually very quick and may feel like a brief cramp or flicker in the muscle. Not every […]
What Can Dry Needling Help With?
Dry needling is commonly used when muscle tension, sensitive areas within a muscle or restricted movement may be contributing to discomfort. Depending on the individual, I may consider it for areas such as the neck, shoulders, back or certain sports-related muscle problems. The important thing to understand is that dry needling isn’t a treatment for […]
Is Dry Needling the Same as Acupuncture?
They both use fine needles, but the treatment approaches are different. Dry needling is generally used within a musculoskeletal treatment plan and focuses on muscles and areas of soft tissue that may be contributing to pain or restricted movement. My decision about where to treat is based on your assessment, symptoms and the way your […]
Why Am I Sore After Dry Needling?
A little muscle soreness after dry needling can happen. Some patients describe it as feeling similar to the soreness experienced after a workout or a particularly deep massage. Minor bruising or temporary tenderness may also occur. This usually settles as the area recovers. I’ll explain what you can expect after your treatment and give you […]
Can Dry Needling Help with Sports Injuries?
Dry needling may form part of a treatment and rehabilitation plan for some sports-related muscle problems. Athletes often develop areas of muscle tension or overload because of repetitive training, changes in training volume or the demands of their particular sport. Where appropriate, I may use dry needling alongside joint mobilisation, chiropractic care, soft tissue techniques […]
How Many Dry Needling Sessions Will I Need?
There isn’t a magic number. Some people notice a change relatively quickly, while others may require a broader treatment and rehabilitation plan. Your response can depend on how long you’ve had the problem, the tissues involved, your activity levels and what may be contributing to the symptoms. I’ll continually reassess how you’re responding to treatment. […]
Can I Exercise After Dry Needling?
That depends on what we’ve treated and why. Gentle movement may be completely appropriate after dry needling, while a hard training session immediately afterwards may not always be the best idea. If you’re an active person or athlete, I’ll take your training schedule into account when planning your treatment. My goal is to keep you […]
Do I Have to Have Dry Needling?
Absolutely not. Dry needling is one treatment technique. It is not compulsory, and it certainly isn’t the only way I can treat a patient. If you’re nervous about needles, have had a bad experience before or simply don’t want dry needling, please tell me. We’ll discuss other appropriate treatment options and find an approach you’re […]