Dry needling is a technique used by physiotherapists for the treatment of pain and movement impairment. This technique is aimed at using thin needles to target myofascial trigger points (hyperirritable areas) in the muscle. Trigger points can be tender to the touch and found locally, or can be referred to other parts of the body.
Dry needling can be used as a technique to increase range-of-motion, decrease pain and normalize movement. Often confused with acupuncture, this treatment technique differs in both theory and method. This is most frequently done by the physiotherapist as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, in addition to other treatment techniques.
Dry needling can be helpful for a variety of injuries and conditions, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask your treating physiotherapist if it could be helpful for you!