Date of the last update: 14.11.2024
At the thought of needles, we often feel anxiety and aversion. However, few of us realise that there is an ancient practice that uses needles in a completely different way than they are commonly associated with now. We are talking about dry needling, also known as needle therapy or acupuncture.
While achieving balance and health through needles may sound a little scary to many of us, its potential health benefits are worth considering. They are surprisingly good for our body and mind, and dry needling, a variation of acupuncture, can provide relief from many ailments. By presenting the practical applications of this therapy, we aim to allay fears and show how beneficial it can be to our health and wellbeing.
Table of contents:
- What is dry needling?
- Indications and contraindications for needle therapy
- Is dry needling painful?
- Is dry needling effective
- Summary
You can read this article in 4 minutes.
What is dry needling?
Dry needling, also known as needle therapy or needleless acupuncture, is an ancient therapeutic method that uses special thin needles to prick specific points on the body (known as trigger points – TrP).
The technique is based on the gentle insertion of thin needles into the skin, which may cause only a slight twitching or stinging sensation.
Trigger points, often found in the musculo-fascial bands, are characterised by an extremely high level of sensitivity, leading to severe pain, often radiating to other structures. Furthermore, they are relatively easy to recognise due to their tenderness, thickness and hardness, and can also occur in other tissues and structures such as fatty tissue, ligaments or joint capsules.
By gently pressing into these points, dry needling aims to restore the body’s energy balance and alleviate various types of physical and emotional discomfort. The essence of this technique is to redirect the flow of vital energy (chi) in the body, which can support healing processes and improve overall wellbeing.
Indications and contraindications for needle therapy
Needle therapy, also known as dry needling, is an effective method of treating many musculoskeletal complaints such as painful shoulder syndromes and tension headaches. The indications for needle therapy are primarily musculoskeletal conditions, which often manifest themselves in pain and movement restrictions. Nevertheless, there are also contraindications to this therapeutic method, which are listed below.
Indications
- Painful shoulder syndrome (so-called frozen shoulder)
- Inflammation of the soleus tendon of the feet
- Subacromial tightness syndrome
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (compression of the median nerve)
- Tennis elbow
- Various types of tendinopathies (tendon disorders)
- Tension headaches
- Pain syndromes of the spine
- Mobilisation of post-operative scars
- Conditions resembling sciatica
- Runner’s knee and patellofemoral band syndrome
Contraindications
- Mental illnesses
- Inflammatory conditions and skin infections
- Presence of dermal lesions e.g. cysts, tumours, open wounds, varicose veins
- Use of painkillers immediately before the procedure
- Needle therapy should not be performed on children or pregnant women.
Is dry needling painful?
The question often arises as to whether dry needling is painful. The answer is that it depends on each person’s individual pain tolerance and the area being treated. For most people experiencing needle therapy, the pain experienced is minimal or completely absent. In practice, puncture pain usually subsides after one to a maximum of four days, which depends primarily on the degree of muscle tension and the location of the treatment. In most cases, the pain resembles typical ‘soreness’ and is limited to the area of the trigger point and its vicinity. The technique is based on the gentle insertion of thin needles into the skin, which may cause only a slight twitching or stinging sensation. It is worth noting that some patients may experience slight discomfort, but this is usually short-lived and not very intense. It is also possible to use local anaesthetics to reduce potential pain for those who are particularly sensitive. As a result, most patients find dry needle therapy to be a relatively painless treatment option.
Is dry needling effective?
Evaluating the effectiveness of dry needling depends on various factors, such as the type of condition, the individual characteristics of the patient and the experience of the therapist. In practice, for many people, dry needling provides noticeable and long-lasting relief from muscle pain and discomfort. The effectiveness of the treatment can vary and is dependent on the individual’s response to the therapy and adherence to recommendations regarding the number and frequency of treatments. It is also worth noting that dry needling can be effective as part of a comprehensive therapy but is not always the only treatment for a particular condition.
Check out also: Breathing exercises – examples, application
Summary
Despite widespread concerns about needling, dry needling therapy can provide relief for many physical and emotional ailments. The method uses the ancient practice of acupuncture to rebalance the body’s energy and alleviate various ailments. Indications for needle therapy include a range of musculo-fascial conditions, while there are also some contraindications that need to be considered before starting the therapy. Although for most patients the pain associated with needle therapy is minimal or even absent, the effectiveness of this method can vary and depends on a number of factors. Ultimately, dry needling can be an effective part of a comprehensive therapy but is not always the only solution for specific conditions.
