Dry Needling
What is Dry Needling
Dry needling is a technique using Acupuncture needles to target Myofascial trigger points. You might have heard of dry needling by its other common names, Intramuscular Stimulation or Myofascial Trigger Point Dry Needling. This technique is used in the treatment of muscle pain, particularly pain related to myofascial pain syndrome.
Dry needling uses either solid filiform needles or hollow-core hypodermic needles to target the muscle pain. The myofascial trigger points are technically defined as a hyperirritable spot in skeletal muscle that is associated with a hypersensitive palpable nodule in a taut band. In simple terms, you might know these as muscle knots. Generally the area is very sensitive to touch and there may also be a small lump.
The technique has actually been around since the 1940’s, but has only become popular since the early 2000’s.
What does Dry Needling treat?
Many people benefit from dry needling on the Gold Coast, because there are a range of causes for muscle pain. If you are not moving around much, for example office workers that are remaining seated for long periods, this can cause the trigger points discussed above. There are plenty of other causes for myofascial trigger points to occur. Some of these include:
- Direct blows to muscles
- Sudden strain injuries
- Prolonged immobilisation, such as being in a cast or sling
- Using muscles you haven’t used for a while
- Excessive cold or heat
- Prolonged time in damp or draughty conditions
Referred pain is also treated with dry needling. For example, have you ever experienced pain in your neck that just doesn’t seem to go away? You try to massage the area, maybe use heat on your neck and stretch it out. None of these things seem to work and it can be extremely frustrating. That’s because the injured muscle may be elsewhere, such as your back or shoulder. The injured muscle can be treated with dry needling to offer relief in other parts of the body.
Is it like Acupuncture?
Dry needling is similar to acupuncture, but not the same. Firstly, the needles used in acupuncture are slightly different to those used in dry needling. Perhaps the largest difference though, is in the technique itself.
In traditional Chinese Acupuncture, needles are inserted into specific points all over the body. The idea is to allow a free flow of energy (Qi) through the body while also treating pain.
Dry needling, on the other hand, targets specific muscles that cause you pain. The needles are extremely thin, but they are inserted deep into the muscle where a myofascial trigger point is present. This causes the muscle to twitch, and this is actually the muscle contracting and relaxing in quick succession.
There are also differences in the training completed. An acupuncturist has usually undertaken a Bachelors degree with 400 hours of clinical practice. Acupuncture calls for a deep knowledge of anatomy. However, to perform dry needling in Australia only requires 16 hours of training. Essentially it is simply a course in dry needling.
With that being said, it is best to seek out a qualified acupuncturist or physiotherapist for dry needling on the Gold Coast. You know they are well trained and can provide additional treatments.
Who benefits from Dry Needling on the Gold Coast?
Any person that is suffering from muscle pain can benefit from dry needling on the Gold Coast. We see plenty of patients who report fast and prolonged pain relief from this technique. Like any treatment though, it is worth consulting extensively with a physiotherapist or dry needling expert to determine whether the treatment is right for you.
It is important to remember that dry needling, while not particularly painful, can feel somewhat uncomfortable. Most effective muscle treatments are the same in this regard, however if you are a little squeamish, dry needling might not be for you. Our expert physiotherapists can recommend other forms of pain management if you are not feeling comfortable with dry needling.
Our Dry Needling Gold Coast Service
Our trained physiotherapists are on hand to perform dry needling treatments for all sorts of pain management. If you are experiencing muscle pain, or have suffered muscle strains, or even if you have had prolonged periods of inactivity, dry needling can be very effective.
At Burleigh Central Physiotherapy we won’t just give you dry needling treatments though, because we take a more holistic approach. Our team is there to provide you with advice and strategies to manage pain in the long-term, as well as providing relief right now. A consultation with us isn’t merely a band-aid solution, as we want all of our patients to live a healthy and pain-free life.
Dry needling is just one treatment available for muscle pain. That’s why dry needling is best done with a qualified physiotherapist as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. To get the most out of it, you will still need to do stretches, use heat packs and most importantly strengthen the affected muscles. This gives you the best chance of achieving a long-term benefit from your treatment.
Dry Needling Gold Coast - Contact Us Today!
Are you suffering from muscle pain, injuries or restricted movement? If you are, physiotherapy is an opportunity to treat injuries and rebuild strength. Best of all, working with a qualified physiotherapist will teach you the techniques to avoid further injury and stay pain-free.
For the best dry needling on the Gold Coast, practiced in a safe, hygienic and controlled environment by trusted professionals, look no further than Burleigh Central Physiotherapy. We help with all sorts of pain management, and dry needling may be the perfect way to get you back to being pain free in no time.
We are located at 11/109 West Burleigh Road, Burleigh Heads. We’re open at convenient times from 8:00am – 6:00pm Monday to Friday, so contact us today to book your dry needling Gold Coast appointment.
Services
- Physiotherapy
- NDIS Physiotherapist
- Sports Physiotherapy
- Hydrotherapy
- Dry Needling
- Massage
- Gym-based Rehabilitation
- Pilates Classes Gold Coast
- Elderly Mobility Gold Coast
- Vertigo and Dizziness
- School and Sports Programs
- Affiliations
- Gold Coast Physiotherapist
- Physio Gold Coast
- Burleigh Heads Physiotherapist
- Miami Physio
- Physiotherapist Burleigh Waters
- Palm Beach Physio
- Physio Mermaid Waters
- Physio Varsity Lakes
- Physiotherapy Robina
- Physiotherapist Coolangatta
- Bundall Physiotherapy
Contact Us
