Dry Needling

Dry needling is a physiotherapy technique used to treat musculoskeletal pain and movement issues, offered here at Recover Physio at our clinics in Norwich. 

Rooted in evidence-based anatomical principles, the process involves inserting very fine, thin needles into trigger points or tight muscular areas. This helps alleviate tension in the muscles and can reduce the compression of nerves and blood vessels that supply it.

Often included as part of a wider pain management plan for muscle tension and pain, dry needling can be an effective treatment that promotes muscular healing and improves range of motion among many patients.

What are the benefits of dry needling?

When performed by trained physiotherapists, dry needling is very safe and there is a low risk of complications.

There is evidence that dry needling can help relieve muscle pain by decreasing the muscle tension, increasing flexibility and range of motion. This is backed up by scientific literature that regularly concludes that dry needling decreases pain in patients with musculoskeletal conditions.

A physiotherapist might recommend dry needling for a range of cases, including in treating the following:

• Muscle tightness and spasms: Often seen in conditions like back, neck, and shoulder pain.
• Joint pain: Common in areas such as the hip, knee, and shoulder.
• Sports injuries: Including strains and other soft tissue injuries.
• Headaches and migraines: Triggered by tension in the neck and shoulder muscles.
• Postural imbalances: Caused by prolonged sitting or repetitive movements.

How does dry needling work?

Dry needling targets trigger points; highly sensitive nodules that develop due to excessive muscle loading and strain in skeletal muscles. There are a variety of factors that may cause muscles to become fatigued and trigger points to develop.

When a muscle is overworked beyond its capability through repetitive activities or heavy use it can lead to fatigue, which may cause the muscle fibres to become shortened or over-contracted. This can lead to the formation of the trigger points, in which certain areas of the muscle remain stuck in this contracted state.

Physical injuries like strains, sprains, or impact injuries can also cause local inflammation in certain muscles, disrupting their normal function. In response to pain, muscles often tighten as a protective mechanism. 

During the healing process, some muscle fibers may stay contracted, resulting in tightness and the development of trigger points as a protective response. The body may compensate for injured areas by overusing surrounding muscles, which can lead to fatigue and additional muscle strain.

Another cause of trigger points in muscles is stress and emotional tension. The body can have a physical response to stress, which may involve involuntary muscle tension in different areas of the body.

Finally, a long-term lack of movement and sedentary lifestyle can put sustained pressure on certain muscle groups in the body, causing these areas to fatigue.

What is the dry needling process?

The first step is for your therapist to locate the trigger point that needs to be treated. Once identified, a very fine needle is inserted directly through the skin and into the trigger point. The needle stimulates the trigger point, helping to release the knot or tightness. 

Your therapist might move the needle around a little to try to get what’s called a local twitch response — a quick spasm of your muscle. This is a good sign that your muscle is reacting to the treatment.

The insertion of the needle can increase blood flow to the affected area, which helps promote healing by delivering more oxygen and nutrients. By stimulating the muscle, dry needling can cause a ‘reset’ in the muscle’s activity, therefore reducing spasms or excessive tightness.

Dry needling can also help release endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, helping to reduce pain and improve the overall sense of well-being.

Some people feel improvement in their pain and mobility almost immediately after a dry needling session. For others, it can take more than one session to start to see results.

What happens during a dry needling treatment session?

Dry needling is used by Physiotherapists as a treatment technique and is therefore part of the overall treatment plan for your condition.  It is therefore only used after a thorough assessment and diagnosis has been performed and its benefit as a treatment has been determined. 

The diagnosis and reason behind the decision to use dry needling will be explained and any questions answered, everyone, of course, has the ability to decide against having a specific treatment technique at any time.

If you do decide to go ahead, your physiotherapist will sterilise the treatment area and, using sterile, single use needles, insert them into the affected muscle at the specific location.

Dry needling is used at Recover Physio only as a part of a wider physiotherapy treatment and rehabilitation plan and is likely to be used alongside other manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue massage or mobilisation. 

How many needles are used?

The quantity of the needles and the depth they are inserted will vary depending on the area being treated. The higher the number of trigger points your therapist locates, the more needles are likely to be used. For larger muscles, the needles are typically inserted deeper to ensure the treatment effectively targets and alleviates pain and tension in the muscle tissue.

Your therapist will assess the area and target each of the trigger points over the muscle being treated – communication during your session will be open and clear.

How many treatments are required?

The number of dry needling treatments you require will vary depending on the type and severity of the condition being treated. Some patients feel relief after just one session, while others may need more therapy before they start to feel improvement.

After a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis of your condition, your therapist will advise you on the frequency and quantity of treatments required.

Is dry needling painful?

Each patient has a different experience with dry needling, as it all depends on the severity of the muscular tension and each individual’s pain threshold. 

As a general rule, you may feel a slight sensation when your physiotherapist inserts the needle, but due to how fine they are, this is generally far more comfortable than giving blood and some patients report no sensation at all throughout.

After the treatment, you may feel aching or soreness for up to 24-48 hours following the session and this is completely normal. Aftercare is important to ensure you feel the full effects of the treatment, with full details of what to do provided by your therapist at Recover.

Are there any side effects?

Dry needling is a safe and well-evidenced technique, and works well for the vast majority of patients. There are, however, some mild side effects to be aware of.

It is common to feel some aching or soreness after the dry needling treatment, which usually lasts up to 24-28 hours following the treatment. Some patients may experience some bruising around the insertion site of the needle. This is usually minimal if it occurs and will resolve itself with no lasting damage. If a patient experiences any more severe side effects, such as dizziness or skin irritation, they should contact Recover Physio or their healthcare provider for further assessment.

Dry Needling vs Acupuncture

While they do share some similarities, there are a number of key differences between dry needling and acupuncture. Dry Needling is a modern technique based on western medicine principles. The treatment focuses on releasing muscle tension by targeting specific points within tight or knotted muscles. Physiotherapy and dry needling can help with acute and chronic pain.

It’s aimed specifically at relieving muscle pain and dysfunction, and the needles are inserted in or around the area of pain.

Acupuncture, on the other hand, is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and is based on the concept of balancing the body’s energy, or “qi” (pronounced “chee”), by targeting specific points along energy pathways called meridians.  Recover Physio does not offer acupuncture as a treatment technique.

Dry Needling Treatment in Norwich

If you’d like to book a dry needling session, you can book online at either of our two branches in Norwich, Norfolk, selecting the “Physiotherapy First Appointment” in our booking form via the button below. Alternatively, if you have any questions about what treatment is right for you, why not get in touch with one of our physios?

Find your nearest Recover Physio branch

Recover Physio is proud to offer expert physiotherapy services across Norwich. With two conveniently located branches in the city centre on Princes Street, and at The Nest just off Holt Road, we are committed to serving the community in Norfolk. 

Whether you are looking for support with musculoskeletal issues, rehabilitation, or specialised treatments, our team is here to help.