As dry needling is relatively new to the Adelaide scene, many do not know what it is and how beneficial it is to our bodies. If you haven’t visited a podiatrist recently, then you might be confused about what this treatment is.
Comprehensive Guide to Dry Needling
What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a minimally non-invasive treatment that involves pushing very thin needles onto your skin to trigger stimulation. This treatment is used to relax tight muscles that are associated with trigger points or painful and hard muscle knots. Many people compare it with acupuncture. Although both use similar tools and techniques, they are two different treatments.
Dry Needling vs Acupuncture
When searching “dry needling near me”, you are likely to see results for acupuncture services alongside dry needling services. However, as mentioned, these two practices are different despite their apparent similarities. Dry needling mainly focuses on decreasing pain by putting pressure onto trigger points. On the other hand, acupuncture primarily aims to treat medical conditions by restoring the flow of energy. To achieve this, different key points in the body are punctured by a needle to restore balance.
The Process of Dry Needling
Undergoing a dry needling treatment can be highly beneficial to your physical health. This is due to its ability to stimulate muscle fibres, thus reducing pain and improving function. When the needle is pushed through the skin and into the tender taut bands or myofascial trigger points, the constricted muscle relaxes.
The needles used in each treatment are fresh and sealed in a tube. The podiatrist uses their non-needling hand to find the trigger points. When these points are found, the hand with the needle loosens the tube, allowing the needle’s penetration onto the skin. After doing this, the podiatrist will keep adding needles to the neighbouring area to achieve the best results.
When a needle is pushed through the trigger points, the muscle will twitch. Typically, it takes about 60 to 90 seconds before the podiatrist will take them out. However, if the area is still sensitive, needles will be inserted once again and will be left for two minutes. After the needle is taken out of the skin, the podiatrist will apply pressure on the area to avoid soreness and swelling.
Are There Side Effects?
While the treatment may seem invasive, it is harmless and safe to perform on most people. In fact, dry needling is so safe that it can even be performed on pregnant women!
As such, the chances of side effects are low. The most common side effect, minor bleeding, is only experienced by a small percentage of patients. Sometimes, this minor bleeding is a result of the prolonged pressure on the wipe or cotton wool at the site.
Another possible, but rare, side effect is a hematoma or bruising. This usually lasts only a few days and will disappear on its own. Others may experience light-headedness, dizziness, or show anxiety symptoms. You can rest assured though, as the needles used are sterilised, single-use, and disposable.
