Dry Needling
What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is an invasive technique used these days by some qualified Podiatrists to release trigger points and nodules formed in muscles and connective tissues. A trigger point is a “knot” in your muscle leading to pain and soreness in one spot. Sometimes these trigger points are active leading to local pain and sometimes they are in a form of latent trigger points which are not painful all the time but when pressure or strain is applied they’ll hurt.
An acute muscle injury or continual muscle stress may lead to the development of trigger points. For example, a spot within or near a strained muscle may become a trigger point. Repetitive motions and poor posture also may increase your risk.
Benefits of Dry Needling
In order to treat and manage a foot condition, all possible risk factors need to be addressed to reduce risk of reinjury and improvement in pain. Dry needling is mainly used with conjunction of Tools Assisted Sport Massage to relief some muscular pain and stiffness. In addition, easing the trigger points may improve flexibility and increase range of motion. That’s why this method is often used to treat sports injuries, muscle pain, and even fibromyalgia pain.
Is Dry Needling painful?
A fine needle will be inserted to the trigger point area. If the trigger point is active (sore) patients may feel a bit soreness while needle enters the layer of the skin but the pain is bearable. However, most people do not even feel it penetrate the skin.
Are there any side effects?
Small bruising or muscle soreness is common after treatment. It is best to avoid deep tissue massage during this time. Recommendations may include applying heat over the area, gentle stretching, and modifications of activities if necessary.
We do not use Dry Needling in the following occasions:
1- Local infection
2- Consent is denied by patient
3- Pregnancy- especially in the first trimester
4- Heart valve disease
5- Recent cardiac surgery
6- Patients who may be immunocompromised i.e Chemotherapy, recent radiotherapy
Here at MediFeet Clinic we are trained in dry needling and can assist with your musculoskeletal pain.