Dry Needling Treatments: SPACE staff experience 'the needles' for themselves! Could they help you?

Getting headaches, achilles/calf pains,

 a 'frozen' shoulder or backache?

Perhaps your arm is not moving as freely since an accident? 

Runner's knee possibly affecting your training? 

Dry needling is a physio technique that can treat these conditions and many more! Tiny needles inserted briefly into tender regions called trigger points in muscles and fascia form the main thrust of dry needling, with effects on the nervous system and overall on the body as well as locally at the site of insertion.

SPACE physiostaff Jon Twynham
 & Kenny Watt inserting needles for calf pain

The needles are a little like these used in acupuncture, and up to 80% of the points are the same as in traditional Eastern Acupuncture but the brief insertion is different, as are the positions the muscles and soft tissues are placed in for application. The needles are very thin, but can measure up to 100mm in length depending on where the need is for treatment.

Dry needling as a technique for managing musculo-skeletal and fascial pains that may be causing problems is a relatively new treatment, but it is widely and safely practised by physiotherapists in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, North America as well as the UK. It is a clean technique, as the single-use needles are sterile and the body part cleaned prior to insertion.

SPACE staffers Kenny Watt & new recruit Jon Twynham (see JT new physio at SPACE) have just attended the updated and exciting course from the Dry Needling Institute from South Africa, along with SPACE Clinical Director Stephen Mutch. This follows on from fellow Director Stuart Barton attending last year, which fits well with the needling approaches of Ross Mayberry & Emma-Jane Petherick meaning that if you attend SPACE with a request for needles (yes it sometimes does happen!) or if that is indicated as a reatment then any of our SIX physio staff are able to administer a safe and competent treatment technique!

It fits well into our paradigm that the human body effectively develops adaptation strategies in times of pain or dysfunction. Do not be surprised if 'the needles' may well play a significant part of rehabilitation possibly added to myofascial release, stretches, exercises & taping.

Neck Treatments have multiple points for needle insertion

Why not ask your physio about this next time you are in? Perhaps your physio will recommend you undergo the treatment, so don't be afraid to question where and how the needles be inserted: we are all happy to discuss our ideas and theories as to how they may help.

Remember you are part of the decision-making process, and can happily discuss any part of your treatment: whether that also involves coloured taping in addition to the needling or not!