What is Dry Needling


What is a trigger point? 

“A myofascial trigger point is defined as a hyperirritable spot in the skeletal muscle that is associated with a hypersensitive palpable nodule in a taut band” (Simons, Travell, & Simons, 1999). 

Muscles that have trigger points are hyperactive and weak and often display restricted range of motion and sensitivity to stretch thus causing dysfunction of movement. 

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Needling a trigger point will:

- Causes a local twitch response, resulting in reduced electrical activity.

- Causes a decrease in CGRP and substance P which correlates to reduced pain and tenderness.

- Can stimulate collagen and protein formation thus promoting healing. 

 

Additional effects of dry needling:

- Stimulation of nerve fibres which can be responsible for pain.

- Causes activation of neuropeptides and release of chemicals (e.g. histamine, CGRP, substance P). 

- Stimulates local endorphins to be released by inflammatory cells causing local pain relief for 2-3 days. 

- CGRP modifies inflammatory cells and therefore acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

- Increased blood flow to the site (50-80% with deep needling, 25-40% with superficial). 

- Effects the afferent nerves of the spinal cord thus reducing pain.

- Similar effects on neural pathways in the brain that opioids have.

- Activates pathways that release serotonin (hormone that makes you feel good). 

- Serum cortisol levels rise after 5-45 minutes.

See our expert Physiotherapy team at Frenchs Forest and Macquarie Park!

Reece Jones

Principal Physiotherapist

Set In Motion Physiotherapy