Skip to content

Trigger Point Dry Needling

What Is a Trigger Point Dry Needling?

Dry needling, also known as myofascial trigger point dry needling, is the use of either solid filiform needles (also referred to as acupuncture needles) or hollow-core hypodermic needles for therapy of muscle pain, including pain related to myofascial pain syndrome.

Dry needling is a technique physical therapists use to treat myofascial pain. The technique uses a “dry” needle, one without medication or injection, inserted through the skin into areas of the muscle, known as trigger points.

A trigger point is a sensitive area of the body, stimulation or irritation of which causes a specific effect in another part, especially a tender area in a muscle which causes generalised musculoskeletal pain when overstimulated.

Effects of Trigger Point Dry Needling

 

  • Pain Reduction
    There is generally either immediate or short-term improvements in pain or disability by targeting trigger points with dry needling. Dry needling significantly reduced pain by targeting a trigger point. Dry needling increases both active and passive range of motion and reduces the pressure pain threshold of the trigger points. Through studies there is evidence that dry needling a specific myofascial trigger point does reduce pain and sensitivity in that area.
  • Improves Movement
    Patients who are undergoing dry needling therapy and doing stretching and strengthening exercises generally experience more fluid movement.
  • Speeds Up Recovery Movement
    Patients who undergo dry needling therapy experience less pain quickly, and some patient experience immediate reduction in pain.

Conditions that Benefit From Trigger Point Dry Needling

One or more of these symptoms may be present.

  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Muscle Sprain
  • Illio-Tibial Band Syndrome (ITB)
  • Shin Splints
  • Achilles Tendonitis
  • Runners Knee
  • Joint Dysfunction