Dry Needling

Dry needling involves using a very thin needle and most subjects do not even feel it penetrate the skin. A healthy muscle feels very little discomfort with the insertion of this needle. However, if the muscle is sensitive and shortened or has active trigger points within it, the subject will feel a sensation like a muscle cramp -’ the twitch response’.

The patient also may feel a reproduction of their pain, which is a helpful diagnostic indicator for the practitioner attempting to diagnose the cause of the patient’s symptoms. Patients soon learn to recognise and even welcome this sensation as it results in deactivating the trigger point, reducing pain and restoring normal length function to the involved muscle. During treatment, patients commonly experience heaviness in the limbs or a pleasant feeling or relaxation.