Dry needling involves inserting accupuncture needles into muscle tissue, ligaments or tendons. It can be helpful in releasing chronically tight muscles and also muscles in spasm.
Dry needling works by increasing blood supply to the tissue in much the same way as massage. The needle is much finer and more accurate than a thumb so it can be a very precise and powerful technique.
The technique is different to acupuncture in that it is based on western anatomy and medicine and not Chinese medicine. It is based purely on musculo - skeletal conditions and won't be used for treating other conditions as acupuncture can be.
The needle is inserted into the muscle and a twitch response is illicited from the muscle. This twitch means that the muscle is 'releasing' and the needling will continue to be manipulated until the twitch ceases. A referral pattern may also be experienced during treatment from the trigger point.
Practitioners who use dry needling- Garry Luke