Dry Needling
Pain relief and assisting injury rehab
In the treatment of trigger points for persons with myofascial pain syndrome, dry needling is an invasive procedure in which a filiform needle is inserted into the skin and muscle directly at a myofascial trigger point.
What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is an effective and efficient technique for the treatment of muscular pain and myofascial dysfunction. Dry needling or intramuscular stimulation (IMS) is a technique developed by Dr. Chan Gunn and is extremely effective for relaxing overactive muscles, which contain trigger points.
In short, the treatment involves needling of a muscle's trigger points without injecting any substance.
The approach is based on Western anatomical and neurophysiological principles. It should not to be confused with the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) technique of acupuncture. However, since the same filiment needles are used in both dry needling and acupuncture, the confusion is understandable.
Is Dry Needling Effective?
Dr Chan Gunn in his I.M.S. approach and Dr Fischer in his segmental approach to Dry Needling strongly advocate the importance of clearing trigger points in both peripheral and spinal areas.
Today specifically trained physiotherapists and acupuncturists are using dry needling effectively and extensively within their practices for the treatment of Myofascial Pain & Dysfunction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I get a rebate?
Patients who have a chronic medical condition and complex care needs may be eligible for a Chronic Disease Management (known as a CDM or EPC) rebate through Medicare. CDM services and Team Care Arrangements (TCA) are assessed and arranged by your GP. Please bring along any CDM/EPC or TCA documentation to your physiotherapy appointment. A gap fee may apply.
Q. Do I need a referral?
No, physiotherapists assess and treat injuries using dry needling techniques without the need for a referral from a GP or specialist.
Q. Does dry needling hurt?
Most patients do not feel the insertion of the needle. The local twitch response elicits a very brief (less than a second) painful response. Some patients describe this as a little electrical shock; others feel it more like a cramping sensation. Again, the therapeutic response occurs with the elicitation of local twitch responses and that is a good and desirable reaction.