Recovery Read’s: The Importance of Dry Needling

The Importance of Dry Needling

Dry needling is a treatment that can be used in athletic training to help with muscle pain, tightness, and movement. During dry needling, a trained healthcare professional inserts very thin needles into or near trigger points in the muscles. Trigger points are basically tight or sensitive knots in a muscle that can cause pain and make it harder for someone to move normally. For athletes, these problems can happen from overusing a muscle, repetitive movements, intense training, or an injury.

One reason dry needling can be important in athletic training is because it can help decrease pain and muscle tightness. When a needle is placed into a trigger point, the muscle may twitch or contract. This can help release some of the tension in the muscle and increase blood flow to the area. It may also help improve flexibility and range of motion. This can be useful for athletes because pain and tight muscles can affect how well they move and perform during practices or games.

Dry needling is usually not used as the only treatment for an athlete. Instead, it can be included as part of a larger treatment or rehabilitation plan. Other treatments may include stretching, strengthening exercises, massage, and other techniques used to help an athlete or individual recover. Some people may feel less pain or better movement shortly after treatment, while others may need multiple sessions.

Overall, dry needling can be useful in athletic training because it can manage muscle pain and stiffness while improving movement. This can help an athlete participate more comfortably in rehabilitation and work toward returning to normal activity. Dry needling should always be performed by a healthcare professional who has the proper training.

Source: Cleveland Clinic – “Dry Needling”
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16542-dry-needling