Dry Needling at Strive

Dry Needling In Action

Dry Needling can be used to treat dysfunctions in skeletal muscle, fascia, and connective tissue, and diminish persistent peripheral nociceptive input, and reduce or restore impairments of body structure and function leading to improved activity and participation.

Benefits of dry needling include restoring abnormal muscle activation patterns, increase joint circulation, assist in pain relief, anti-inflammatory effects, decrease CNS sensitivity, and causes immediate change to range of motion and strength.

The dry needling course I took was the first of its kind in Canada, designed specifically for certified athletic therapists. It is exciting to be a part of advancing the athletic therapy profession!

What happens in Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a technique performed with very fine needles targeting trigger points. When the needle is inserted, there may be a local twitch response and some mild discomfort caused by the tissue tension. This will be followed by a feeling of relaxation as the muscle relaxes around the needle.

What to Wear? The treatment requires the skin to be exposed so it is recommended to wear loose clothing, or a gown may be required for access to the area being treated.

After your treatment. It is common to have some local aching over the area of treatment, which usually dissipates within 24 hours after the treatment. Bruising can also occur but is less common. Improvement in acute pain is typically noted immediately following treatment. Chronic injuries can take up to 4-6 treatments to notice lasting changes. Some fatigue or feeling of heaviness in the muscles can also occur after treatment.

Activity after your treatment. It is recommended to avoid strenuous activity on the same day following the dry needling session. Light activity, proper hydration, and good sleep are recommended afterwards in order to experience the full benefits of the dry needling treatment.

So, what is it?

Dry Needling is a skilled intervention that uses a thin filiform needle to penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying myofascial trigger points, muscular, and connective tissues for the management of neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments. Point selection is based on a diagnosis, palpation, and functional testing.

Dry needling is based on the Integrated Trigger Point theory. Trigger points are the result of an abnormal acetylcholine release that causes sarcomeres and motor endplates to become overactive. This leads to local inflammatory response, loss of oxygen, nutrients, involuntary shortening of muscle fibres which puts an increased metabolic demand on local tissues. This may create an “energy crisis” with an increase of sensitizing substances in the area that may sensitize peripheral nerves, and create feelings of pain and tenderness. Trigger points may be caused by a number of factors including: injury, over use, chronic stress, vitamin deficiencies, and sleep disturbance.

Dry needling works to enhance collagen deposition via the bodies injury repair mechanisms in homeostasis. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. Insertion of the needle puts pressure into the tissues and collagen becomes piezoelectric. The collagen responds to the pressure and an electrical charge is generated, creating both a local and body wide change. This process is called mechanotransduction, where the cells sense and respond to stimuli by converting them to signals that elicit specific cellular responses.

“Dry Needling is a great tool to learn. I believe the science and treatment methods complement my rehabilitation style well. I really like how dry needling can be beneficial for injury rehabilitation and also enhance athletic performance.” – Jason Tsang

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