Trigger points are painful, hardened knots within a muscle. They can cause local pain, but also referred pain, restricted movement, loss of strength and even headaches. Trigger points often develop through overuse, a sustained posture, stress or injury.
Treatment of trigger points may consist of:
- manual pressure techniques: targeted pressure on the muscle knot to help it release
- dry needling: inserting a fine, sterile needle into the muscle knot
- stretching and mobilising exercises: to keep the muscle supple
- posture and exercise advice: to prevent the symptoms from returning
What is dry needling?
In dry needling, the physiotherapist inserts a fine, sterile needle into the muscle knot. When the knot is reached, the muscle contracts briefly (a so-called twitch response) and then relaxes. Dry needling is sometimes confused with acupuncture, but it is fundamentally different: in acupuncture several needles are left in place superficially, whereas dry needling treats a single muscle in a targeted and brief way. After treatment the muscle may feel tender for one to a few days; this is a normal reaction.
Dry needling is never used in isolation, but forms part of a broader physiotherapy treatment plan. Together with you we look for the underlying cause of your symptoms, so that the result lasts. Please feel free to get in touch for more information.