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What is Dry Needling?
Dry Needling is a technique where the doctor inserts a fine filament single-use needle, just like Acupuncture, into a Myofascial Trigger Point (MTrP)Â of a muscle to deactivate the MTrP resulting in decreased pain.
What is a Myofascial Trigger Point?
An MTrP is that knot in your muscle. It is a group of muscle fibers which have been locked into a contracted state and can’t relax. A myofascial trigger point is characterized by the development of a sensitive nodule in the muscle (Simons, Travell & Simons, 1999). This occurs as the muscle fibers become so tight that they compress the capillaries and nerves that supply them (McPartland, 2004; Simons, et al., 1999). As a result, the muscle is unable to move normally, obtain a fresh blood supply containing oxygen and nutrients, or flush out additional acidic chemicals (McPartland, 2004; Simons, et al., 1999). In addition to this nodule, the remainder of the muscle also tightens to compensate (Simons, et al., 1999; Simons, 2002). The presence of a myofascial trigger point in a muscle can lead to discomfort with touch, movement and stretching; to decreased movement at a joint; and even a temporary loss of coordination (Simons, et al., 1999).
What Causes a Myofascial Trigger Point?
A myofascial trigger point develops as part of the body’s protective response following:
injury – the muscle will tighten in an attempt to reduce the severity of an injury;
unexpected movements e.g. descending a step that is lower than originally anticipated;
quick movements e.g. looking over your shoulder while driving;
change in regular activity or muscle loading e.g. an increase in the number or intensity of training sessions for sport;
sustained postures e.g. prolonged sitting for work or study;
nerve impingement – the muscle will tighten to protect the nerve;
stress;
illness (bacterial or viral);
nutritional deficiencies, or;
metabolic and endocrine conditions.
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