Dry Needling
Dry Needling can be an effective form of treatment for muscle pain during physiotherapy. With Dry Needling, muscle knots (myofascial trigger points) are relaxed by puncturing them with a thin acupuncture needle. Usually, the improvement in flexibility, strength, and pain is immediately noticeable.
What is muscle hardening and what does it feel like?
A muscle hardening is a hard-feeling spot in a muscle that, in addition to local tenderness, can often cause pain in other parts of the body characteristic of that muscle. We call this referred pain. When investigating the cause of the pain, we see that multiple muscles can often be involved.
- Pain localized in a muscle with or without radiation
- Restricted movement and/or stiffness
- Reduced strength when contracting the muscle
- Expansion due to pain-avoiding behavior
These complaints often disappear on their own, but if they persist for a long time, treatment may be desirable. In that case, the physiotherapist will also investigate whether there are underlying causes for these muscle complaints and incorporate them into the treatment
How does the treatment feel?
You will feel little to no sensation when the needle is inserted. When the muscle hardening is pricked, the muscle may contract briefly. This happens so quickly that you are usually startled for a moment, and sometimes it can feel somewhat painful. Pressure point massage, however, is usually longer-lasting and more painful. After these brief jolts, the muscle usually relaxes immediately. You will be able to perform movements better and usually immediately without the pain you recognize. It is also possible that you may feel warmer or start sweating during the treatment, or sometimes feel unwell or tired for a moment. This is nothing to worry about; it will disappear quickly.
What happens after the treatment?
Sometimes, if there are a lot of stiff muscles, you may feel a nagging after-pain for the first two days; the treatment continues to have a temporary effect. This will also disappear. Our experience is that the muscles have become more supple after this treatment and can be used more easily. However, it is advisable not to strain these muscles too heavily during the first few days. You will be given simple exercises to do at home to maintain the improved mobility that has been achieved. This puts your further recovery in your own hands. The results are generally more effective than with massage or stretching exercises. Exercises are much easier after Dry Needling.
Dry Needling most well-known indications
- Tension headache
- Neck and shoulder complaints
- Tennis elbow
- Piriformis syndrome
- Hip complaints
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Runner's knee
- Achilles tendon problems