Dry Needling

Dry needling is a common treatment technique used by manual therapists, including Osteopaths. It is often compared with and contrasted to acupuncture and can be considered within the scope of acupuncture practice. Dry needling is performed with the same solid filament needle as used by acupuncturists, but does not require any knowledge of traditional acupuncture or Traditional Chinese Medicine health concepts. Although there are various dry needling approaches, the most common and most evidence-based approach involves targeting myofascial trigger points.

What is a myofascial trigger point?

A myofascial trigger point is a hyperirritable spot in a skeletal muscle, associated with a hypersensitive, palpable nodule in a taut band. This spot is painful upon compression and may give rise to characteristic referred pain, tenderness, and motor dysfunction.

Benefits of dry needling

Dry needling reduces the referred symptoms of trigger points and can be used to treat your:

• Neck pain – wry neck, headaches or migraines, whiplash
• Jaw pain
• Muscular tightness – such as may be associated with sports injuries
• Tennis/Golfers Elbow

…And a range of many other musculoskeletal conditions.

To book a needling session, schedule an appointment for an osteopathic consultation.