What are myofascial trigger points?
Trigger points are localised hypersensitive spots on your bands of muscle fibres which represent points of vulnerability. When stimulated they often produce pain and twitch. A recent study has estimated that, of patients who visit their GP with pain, up to 85% can be traced to their source at myofascial trigger points. Multiple painful trigger points is often known as myofascial pain syndrome, most commonly felt in the arms and neck. Despite their abundance, trigger points often go undiagnosed, which can lead to chronic conditions developing.
What is dry needling?
Involving the insertion of acupuncture needles into the skin, dry needling stimulates the myofascial trigger points. It’s thought that the needles can release muscle tension that may lead to the build up around trigger points, therefore relieving pain and improving function. It differs from acupuncture in being derived from established western medicine. Most people do not feel any pain other than a pinprick sensation and occasionally some mild muscle aches.
Needling these myofascial trigger points requires substantial skill and expertise to get the placements right. Our experienced chartered physiotherapists can ensure you get the best results, often in tandem with other physiotherapy techniques to form a tailor-made treatment plan.