Dry Needling is a therapeutic technique that involves the insertion of a fine needle into muscle tissue to target "Trigger Points" with the goal of releasing muscle tension and alleviating pain.
This method can induce a local twitch response or be combined with electrical stimulation (E-Stim) for enhanced effects.
Key Points about Dry Needling at Greenacre Sports Medicine Clinic:
- Location and Accessibility: Our clinic is conveniently located in Greenacre, serving patients from Strathfield, Bankstown, Punchbowl, and throughout Sydney.
- Minimal Discomfort: The needles used are thin, causing little to no discomfort upon insertion, especially in healthy muscles.
- Diagnostic Tool: The twitch response and pain reproduction during treatment serve as valuable diagnostic indicators for our practitioners.
- Mechanism of Action: Dry needling helps relax contracted muscles by triggering the nervous system to inhibit muscle spasms, often the underlying cause of pain.
- Experience and Effectiveness: Our osteopaths, with over 20 years of combined experience, find dry needling to be highly effective for chronic pain treatment.
- Distinction from Acupuncture: Unlike acupuncture, dry needling is based on Western medicine principles and focuses on musculoskeletal and sports injuries.
- Treatment Scope: Effective for various musculoskeletal issues, including neck, back, and shoulder pain, arm pain, headaches, jaw pain, buttock pain, leg pain, and more.
- Procedure Comfort: Our clinic offers traditional and advanced dry needling approaches, including options without needles, to accommodate patients with needle phobias.
- Sterility and Safety: Only high-quality disposable needles are used to ensure safety and hygiene.
- Post-Treatment Care: Recommendations may include applying heat or ice, gentle stretches, or analgesics, depending on individual response and soreness.
- Treatment Duration and Frequency: Most patients require 4-7 sessions to see significant improvements, with the exact number varying based on the condition's duration and severity.
- Integration in Rehabilitation: Dry needling can be a critical initial step in a comprehensive treatment program, aimed at breaking the pain cycle before introducing other therapies.
- Maintenance and Follow-Up: While many patients maintain progress without frequent treatments, occasional sessions can help prevent recurrence of pain.