In this monthly Newsletter our physiotherapist Javier Valenzuela Gonzalez will inform you about ´dry needling´, a very effective treatment for muscle-spasms.

 

A workshop will be held about Woman’s Health on May 27th, 2017 and on May 29th, 2017 you can join the information meeting about a new diet. Please continue to read for more details about this event.

Dry needling is an invasive technique that refers to the use of the mechanical stimulus of a needle as a physical agent for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome, and therefore myofascial trigger points, without injecting or extracting any substance, hence the use of the adjective "dry".

 

Dry puncture techniques can be classified in different ways. The most common classification is the following: superficial dry needling and deep dry needling.

 

The superficial dry needling: where the needle does not reach muscle tissue. We distinguish two modalities:

• The technique of Baldry: was developed in 1980, consists of introducing acupuncture needles in the skin and subcutaneous cellular tissue overlying the myofascial trigger point to a maximum depth of 1 cm, without penetrating in the muscle. Because the needle does not penetrate the myofascial trigger point, a local spasm response of the muscle is not expected. The duration of the puncture is usually 2-3 minutes, during which the needle can be manipulated by turning in one direction or another.
• Fu subcutaneous superficial puncture was developed in 1996.

Deep puncture: where the needle reaches muscle tissue. The most effective of all is Hong's rapid in and out technique, which consists of introducing and pulling the needle quickly over the myofascial trigger point (muscle). The output refers to the withdrawal of the needle to the subcutaneous tissue, outside the muscle, but not outside the skin.

 

The aim of this technique is to look for a local spasm response to achieve an important change in the chemical environment of the muscle, and in the amount and concentration of sensitizing substances found in it, thus achieving its relaxation.

Rapid input and output are repeated until the local spasm responses are extinguished, or until the tolerance level of the patient is reached.

 

A disadvantage of this technique is post-punction pain (a kind of stiffness) that usually disappears within 48 hours after treatment.

 

There are hardly any contraindications for dry puncture, as well as dangers and / or complications.

Most contraindications are relative; Fear of needles, children, coagulation problems, risk of infection, etc.

 

Dry puncture is indicated in case myofascial trigger points are active in muscles that are causing problems such as pain, lack of strength and other discomfort.

Some examples of injuries that benefit from this treatment are:

• Epicondialgias
• Muscle problems (some back or neck pain)
• Tendon problems
• In general, musculoskeletal problems that occur with discomfort or limitations at the muscle level, where the examination reveals that there are trigger points giving problems.

If you are interested in the ´dry needling` treatment, please call our clinic to make an appointment with our physiotherapist Javier Valenzuela.