Acupuncture treatment for muscle pain? Let's learn about Dry Needling!

Do you also sometimes have constant pain in the same place on your body? Does it feel like a muscle is knotted? Do you have small knots on your body that feel hard inside and hurt when you press them with your hand? Many people have this kind of pain in places like the shoulders, neck, and back. So, today we are talking about a special treatment method that can help with this kind of problem, and it goes hand in hand with physiotherapy. This is called Dry Needling.

Simply put, what is Dry Needling?

Dry Needling is a technique used by trained health professionals, such as physical therapists, to treat muscle pain and mobility issues. It is not usually a stand-alone treatment. It is often done as part of a larger treatment plan that includes exercises, stretching , and massage.

In this treatment, a trained practitioner inserts very thin, sharp needles through your skin and treats knots in your muscles. In medical terms, these knots are called myofascial trigger points .

Let's break down the meaning of this word. 'Myo' means muscle. 'Fascia' means the thin, white connective tissue that surrounds our muscles. So these trigger points are those knots that form inside your muscles, where you can feel them. They're very sensitive. Sometimes the knots can be in the same place where the pain is. But sometimes, the knots can cause pain in a completely different part of the body.

Physiotherapists use these needles to loosen knots called trigger points. When the needles are inserted in this way, the tightness in the muscles and tissues is reduced, blood flow to those areas is increased, and the pain at that location as well as the referred pain is reduced.

There's a reason it's called "Dry" Needling. That's because the needles don't contain any medicine. It's like an injection, not anything. That's why it's called "dry." Trigger point injections are different, in that a doctor injects a medicine, such as a painkiller, into the area.

Okay, now let's see how this Dry Needling method works.

When your muscle is overused, that is, when it becomes overly fatigued, it experiences a kind of energy crisis. Simply put, those muscle fibers don't get the blood supply they need. When the blood supply is cut off, the muscle doesn't get the oxygen and nutrients it needs to return to its normal resting state.

When this happens, the tissue around the trigger point becomes acidic. The nerves in that area become hypersensitive, and the entire area starts to hurt.

So, when you stimulate that trigger point with a needle, it starts to bleed normally again. As new blood comes in, the waste that has accumulated in that area is removed, and the tightness in the muscle is released. In addition, the sensation of the needle hitting the nerve fibers is activated, and our brain is signaled to release chemicals called endorphins . These endorphins are natural painkillers that our body produces. It's like our own 'painkillers'.

Once your physical therapist has located the trigger point, they will insert the needle directly into it. Sometimes they will try to move the needle a little here and there to create what is called a local twitch response . This is when the muscle suddenly jerks. This is a good sign, meaning the muscle is responding well to the treatment.

Some people experience immediate pain relief and improved mobility after a Dry Needling session. For others, it may take several sessions to see good results.

Does this treatment hurt? A question everyone asks.

To be honest, trigger points are places that are naturally painful to touch. So, before you get the acupuncture, you may feel some pain as your physical therapist presses down on these knots.

There may be some discomfort when the needles are inserted. The needles are so small that sometimes you don't even feel them. But some people feel a slight prick. When the needle enters the trigger point, it can be a little painful and cause that twitch response we talked about earlier.

After the treatment, you may feel some stiffness or soreness around the area where the needle was inserted. This is normal. However , it is important to continue moving and stretching, not just staying still.

Who should not receive this treatment?

Dry Needling is not recommended for certain groups. It can be painful, so it is not usually performed on children under 12 years of age. Also, people in the following groups should definitely talk to their doctor before undergoing this treatment:

• Pregnant women.
• People who have difficulty understanding the treatment.
• People with an extreme fear of thorns (trypanophobia).
• People with weak immune systems.
• Those who have recently undergone surgery.
• People who take blood thinners.

What happens during treatment? Let's find out step by step.

This treatment is a multi-step process.

Before treatment

Before you undergo Dry Needling, your physical therapist will take a complete medical history and perform a physical examination. They will then decide if Dry Needling is right for you. If they think you are a good fit, they will explain the treatment and answer any questions you may have. It is important to wear comfortable, loose clothing on the day of your treatment.

During treatment

First, the treatment area is thoroughly sterilized and the needles are prepared. Each needle is sterile and can be used only once and then thrown away. Then, the physiotherapist palpates your body with one hand to find the exact location of the trigger point. With the other hand, the needle, which is inside a plastic guide tube, is inserted into the area.

Then, the needle is very gently inserted into the top layer of your skin (epidermis) and the plastic tube is removed. The methods used here can vary. There are two main methods:

• Superficial (subcutaneous): Here, the needle is inserted about 5-10 millimeters above the trigger point, into the subcutaneous tissue.
• Deep (into the muscle): Here, the needle is inserted deep into the muscle, past the subcutaneous tissue.

Depending on the technique used, the needle can be left in place for as little as two seconds to as long as 20 minutes. Sometimes a pistoning technique is used, which involves rapidly moving the needle up and down within the tissue.

During the first treatment, you may only use one or two needles. Depending on your response, the number of needles used may be increased in subsequent sessions. For example, when treating back pain, you may use about 10-15 needles.

After treatment

Once the treatment is complete, the needles are removed and the skin is checked for any reactions. The used needles are placed in a special medical sharps container and safely disposed of.

After that, the doctor will tell you to get up. If you feel dizzy, you can sit down for a while and rest. After the treatment, it is very important to drink plenty of water . After the treatment, the muscle pain may increase slightly, but do not stop moving your body. This pain usually subsides within 24-36 hours. You may see small bruises where the needles were inserted, which may last for about a week.

Are Dry Needling and Acupuncture the same thing? No, they are two different things!

Many people confuse Dry Needling and Acupuncture as the same thing. It is true that both treatments involve inserting needles into the skin. The type of needles used are the same. However, the similarities end there. These are two completely different treatments.

This difference can be understood more clearly from the table below.

What are the risks and side effects?

The most common side effect of dry needling is pain during and after the treatment.

Other side effects are usually minor. They include:

• Stiffness
• Bruising at or around the insertion site
• To cast a spell
• Fatigue / Tiredness

There is also a risk of infection, so it is important to make sure that the person treating you is properly trained for this.

Serious side effects are extremely rare. However, if bleeding occurs at the site of the needle insertion, hold the site firmly and call your therapist or doctor.

Most importantly: If the treatment was to the chest area, and you have difficulty breathing, call your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital emergency department (ETU). Very rarely, a deep puncture to the chest area can cause a collapsed lung (pneumothorax). This is a rare but serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.

Dry Needling is a very safe, minimally painful, and often very effective treatment for properly selected patients. Many people have found that this treatment has significantly improved their quality of life. However, be sure to talk to your doctor before undergoing this treatment. Although it is safe, because it involves injecting something into the body, your doctor may recommend a simpler treatment first.

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