Are you experiencing chronic body aches? In that case, you may be searching for a cure for your ailment. During your search, you may even come across the term dry needling. But what does this treatment constitute? Is it a safe and viable option for you? These are undoubtedly the questions on your mind after your research. Allow us to put your mind at ease by answering these queries!

What is dry needling therapy?

At a glance, it is common for many to associate dry needling with acupuncture. After all, both techniques appear to share various similarities. However, upon closer inspection, they serve different functions. The latter focuses on stimulating specific acupuncture points to stimulate the central nervous system, thereby producing biochemical changes that trigger our body’s natural healing abilities, which promotes emotional and physical well-being.

Conversely, dry needling is used primarily to relieve muscular pain and restore body function by inserting thin and fine (filiform) stainless steel needles into specific points within our body. This precise action can stimulate a healing effect within the body, relieving pain (such as neck and knee pain) and improving the patient’s range of motion.

When the filiform needles are inserted into the correct trigger points in the muscle, they stimulate the surrounding nerve fibres, triggering the release of chemicals in our body. When this occurs, the nerve transmits a signal to the brain, causing an increase in blood flow, which speeds up the delivery of nutrients to the damaged muscle. This causes the tissues to become more elastic, increasing the range of motion – all of which combine to help relieve pain and boost recovery.

The absence of drugs or medication during the treatment process makes dry needling an ideal alternative for patients allergic to pain medication or those who do not want to rely on drugs to manage their conditions.

Dry needling therapy: is it safe?

When discussing any medical treatment, the natural question that pops into people’s minds is, “Is this treatment safe?”. The answer is a resounding yes! Provided the treatment is carried out by a trained therapist in Singapore. In fact, dry needling therapy is widely used to treat various medical conditions like

• Acute and chronic body aches
• Back and neck pain
• Elbow pain
• Hip and knee pain
• Headaches
• Muscle spasms and strains

Before the treatment is administered, your physiotherapist will assess your medical history to determine if dry needling therapy is suitable for you. Naturally, every patient is unique, and everyone has their needs and preferences. So if you feel uncomfortable about the treatment, feel free to discuss your concerns and treatment goals with your physiotherapist beforehand.

Once the session begins, you may encounter slight discomfort when the needles are inserted into your body. You may also experience a dull ache or heaviness, either locally or distally from where the needles were inserted. However, rest assured that these are expected side effects of the treatment and are temporary. They should subside gradually.

Other common side effects of dry needling therapy

Patients generally respond well to dry needling therapy. However, similar to other manual therapy sessions, it is common for some to experience post-treatment soreness. Fortunately, these effects are temporary and should only last for around 12 to 48 hours.

You may also discover minor bruising or bleeding from the puncture wounds. Should this be the case, we recommend applying an ice pack on the affected areas for 10 to 15 minutes to help with the recovery post-treatment.

Lastly, fatigue and drowsiness are possible side effects of the treatment. If you experience these issues after your session, we recommend staying hydrated and having a snack to help alleviate the symptoms.

We hope what we have shared has provided you with a clearer understanding of what dry needling therapy constitutes. However, we still recommend that you confer with a trained therapist so that you can determine whether dry needling is a suitable treatment for your medical ailment. If you wish to consult our experienced team of physiotherapists, do not hesitate to contact us today to arrange an appointment with Orchard Health Clinic.