DRY NEEDLING

Dry needling for the treatment of myofascial (muscular) trigger points is based on theories similar to traditional acupuncture. However, dry needling targets the trigger points, which is the direct and palpable source of patient pain, rather than the traditional “meridians”, accessed via acupuncture. In the treatment of trigger points for persons with myofascial pain syndrome, dry needling is an invasive procedure in which a filiform needle is inserted into the skin and muscle directly at a myofascial trigger point.

A myofascial trigger point consists of multiple contraction knots, which are related to the production and maintenance of the pain cycle. Proper dry needling of a myofascial trigger point will elicit a local twitch response (LTR), which is an involuntary spinal cord reflex in which the muscle fibers in the taut band of muscle contract. The LTR indicates the proper placement of the needle in a trigger point. Dry needling that elicits LTRs improves treatment outcomes, and may work by activating endogenous opioids.

Trigger point dry needling is a simple, safe treatment option for sore or tired muscles that has little or no discomfort for the patient.