What exactly is dry needling?
During dry needling, the physiotherapist inserts a thin, sterile needle into the spot where the muscle has tightened up, known as a trigger point. The needle itself contains nothing (hence 'dry'), but contact with the trigger point triggers a brief muscle twitch followed by deep release. That's exactly what the muscle needs to let go.
What can it help with?
Dry needling works well for chronic muscle pain, tension headaches, neck complaints, tennis elbow, shoulder pain and lower back pain. It's also an effective addition when other treatments haven't fully resolved the issue.
Does it hurt?
You barely feel the needle itself. What you might feel is a brief, sharp muscle twitch the moment the needle hits the trigger point, which sounds alarming but is actually a good sign. It means the muscle is responding. The muscle can feel a bit tender for a day afterwards, similar to muscle soreness after exercise.
How many sessions will I need?
Most people notice improvement after just one or two sessions. A full course usually consists of three to six treatments. At our Almere practice, dry needling is always combined with other physiotherapy techniques for a lasting result.
Ready to get started?
Book an appointment directly or get in touch. We're happy to discuss whether dry needling is the right treatment for your complaint.
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