Does Dry Needling Help Injuries? 💉
We get a lot of interest in adjunct therapies like dry needling. But Does it really help an injury?
Most physiotherapists utilise dry needling in their ‘toolbox’ these days. All our Physiotherapists are trained in Dry Needling, and Seth in particular looks to use this when treating his patients. But what’s involved?
Dry needling involves using a very fine needle, usually 0.25-0.30mm, which is so thin that you usually cannot feel it when it is pressed in. In fact they are the same needles used during acupuncture, however a different technique is utilised.
The needle is placed directly into an affected muscle to reduce stiffness, tightness or to improve muscle awareness and activation. I have heard it referred to as a “CTRL ALT DELETE” on the muscle…
That is for anyone that remembers using an old PC…
Are there injuries in particular dry needling is useful for?
Acute injuries - dry needling is effective for pain in the first 12 weeks following injury (1)
Neck pain - there is moderate evidence (2) to support dry needling use
Low back pain - pain intensity can be reduced (3) with dry needling
Our personal favourites for dry needling are necks and backs (gluteal), as well as ITB tightness.
So should you be asking for dry needling at your next appointment?
Let your physio direct you
We will normally let you know if we think dry needling could assist your recovery
Try it if other less invasive techniques have plateaued in their effects
If massage and joint mobilisations have only progressed you so far, maybe trying dry needling is the next step
If it’s something you have responded well to in the past
Everyone and every injury reacts differently, but some people in particular get great responses to dry needling
Think you need some help with a new or persistent injury?
—> get in touch
Call us today (02) 9188 8360
(1) Gattie E, Cleland JA, Snodgrass S. The Effectiveness of Trigger Point Dry Needling for Musculoskeletal Conditions by Physical Therapists: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017 Mar;47(3):133-149. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2017.7096. Epub 2017 Feb 3. PMID: 28158962.
(2) Liu L., Huang Q.M., Liu Q.G., Ye G., Bo C.Z., Chen M.J., Li P. Effectiveness of dry needling for myofascial trigger points associated with neck and shoulder pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2015;96:944–955. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2014.12.015.
(3) Hu H.T., Gao H., Ma R.J., Zhao X.F., Tian H.F., Li L. Is dry needling effective for low back pain?: A systematic review and PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis. Medicine. 2018;97:e11225. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000011225.