Did you know our physios Mel and May are qualified in Dry Needling Therapy?
Dry Needling is the insertion of thin, solid, filament needles into the skin and underlying tissues for pain relief and tissue healing. Dry needling can help to settle muscle spasm, reduce inflammation, relieve pain, promote healing and improve musculoskeletal function.
Dry needling creates small amounts of tissue damage which elicits a healing response and stimulates release of natural pain relieving chemicals from the brain. As well as tissue healing and pain relief, stimulation of nerve endings via the needle assists in reducing over-excitation of muscles and further improves pain and discomfort.
Dry needling is beneficial for a multitude of conditions as needles can be used to stimulate all soft tissues including muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia.
Are you thinking about dry needling but you're just not sure and don't like needles? Here are some regular questions Mel gets asked by clients before their dry needling treatment to put your mind at ease.
Does dry needling hurt?
Dry needling is generally pain free and clients often report not being able to feel the needles while they are in. A twitch response can sometimes be felt when needling muscles but this often feels like a gentle holding sensation which is not painful.
Unlike hypodermic injection needles, acupuncture needles don't sting! A tap is felt on insertion of the needle but this is pain free.
How long will the needles stay in for and how many sessions will I need?
Depending on your pain, injury and body's responsiveness, treatment length can vary from 10 minutes to 30 minutes. The body often adapts to the feel of the needles and you will likely forget they are there for most of this time. The amount of sessions required also varies with each individual but most people notice changes following the first session.
Is Dry Needling safe?
Dry needling is a very safe treatment for many problems and is performed using sterile, single use needles by our trained Physiotherapist Mel. Side-effects of needles are minimal but can include a slight bruised feeling for a day 24-36 hours following treatment.
Does anything come out of the needle?
No. Acupuncture needles used during dry needling are solid needles and do not involve injection of any substances into the tissues.
Does Dry Needling cost extra?
Dry needling is included in your consult fee. In some instances if longer treatments are required a longer appointment may be necessary but most people gain relief within their normal session length.
Have any other questions or want to see if dry needling could make a difference for you? Call our clinic today and our friendly team will be happy to help.