Dry needling is a so-called trigger point treatment with a thin needle. Another name for trigger point is muscle knot. A trigger point is a local thickening in the muscle, which is often caused by overload. This causes pain and limitation of movement of a joint because the muscle is tightened more than normal.
The needle that is used is so thin that it is barely noticeable when it is inserted into the skin. When the trigger point is hit, it causes a twitch - a forceful muscle contraction followed by a feeling of relaxation in the affected muscle. Radiation can also be observed at a different site of the affected muscle. We call this referred pain: the often recognizable pain that people indicate with their complaint.
After the application of dry needling, it is often immediately noticeable that the mobility increases. However, the muscle can feel a bit sore, somewhat comparable to a cramp. This feeling disappears by itself. However, it is advisable to drink plenty of water and to perform stretching exercises for the punctured region to support the muscle in the recovery process.
The stretching exercises will be discussed with you after the treatment.