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What is
Dry Needling?
Are you suffering from pain, muscle tightness or movement issues? Dry-needling may be the turning-point for you towards wellness.
Dry-needling is a treatment technique where thin, sterile needles are inserted into specific myofascial trigger points to relieve muscle pain and tension. Dry-needling is a technique that when used by a trained chiropractor as part of a broader treatment plan can help reduce reduce pain and restore movement.
At Kiro Health, our chiropractors are certified and experienced with the growing popularity of dry-needling treatment as an option for those seeking relief and wellness.
Benefits of Dry-Needling
Dry-needling is beneficial for individuals with acute and chronic pain. One advantage is its ability to release tight muscles and deactivate painful trigger points quickly. This helps reduce inflammation and restore normal muscle functions.
Many of our clients have found dry needling helpful in relieving muscle stiffness, improving joint mobility and accelerating recovery from soft tissue injuries. This is especially complimentary when used together with a chiropractic treatment plan combining chiropractic adjustments, remedial massage to address the muscular component of pain and dysfunction.
Applying dry needling into a personalised chiropractic treatment and care plan can also support better posture and movement, reduce nerve irritation and improve performance in sports and everyday acitivites.
How Does Dry Needling Work?
Dry needling works by targeting trigger points in muscles. These can form due to an injury, overuse of muscles, stress or poor posture. Inserting a thin, sterilised needle into a trigger point creates a twitch response - a brief contractions that helps relax muscle tone and reduce pain.
The process of inserting a thin needle helps stimulate blood blow, reduce inflammation, and greatly limits pain. Dry needling also releases endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and quickens recovery.
During therapy, the needles remain in your muscle for a period of time depending on reaction of the body, the injury or pain, and the treatment plan.
Conditions Treated by Dry Needling
Chiropractors commonly apply dry needling therapy for chronic injuries, including:
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Muscle pain (neck, shoulder, lower back, hand, etc.)
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Sciatica
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Tendonitis
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Sports injuries
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Muscle knots and trigger points
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Tennis elbow
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Shoulder impingement
When Do Chiropractors Use Dry Needling?
Chiropractors may use dry needling when they identify that muscle tension of specific trigger points are the cause to an individual's pain or restricted movement. Dry needling is especially effective for muscle tightness that don't respond fully to manual therapy or spinal adjustments alone.
In cases of chronic pain or sports injuries, dry needling can offer quick and targeted relief. This is a great therapy to support faster recovery and reduce inflammation, and more below:
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Muscle tightness restricting movement
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Chronic pain needing a complimentary therapy
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Faster recovery from soft tissue injuries
Dry Needling vs Acupuncture - What's the Difference?
While both use fine needles, dry needling targets muscle trigger points to relieve tension and pain. On the other hand, acupuncture focuses on stimulating specific points along the body's energy. Though they may look similar, they are quite two distinct therapy methods rooted in different principles.
Dry needling is a treatment that has been growing in popularity, rooted in anatomical foundations focused on musculoskeletal health. It is often applied complementary to chiropractic treatment plans in combination with other chiropractic techniques such as adjustments and manual therapy.
If you're unsure which is right for you, our certified chiropractors in Riverstone / Grantham Farm can help you decide based on your wellness goals.