Dry needling works to release myofascial trigger points (taut or tight bands in the muscle belly) that cause local or referred pain. Your podiatrist may utilise dry needling as a modality to treat your foot or lower limb musculoskeletal pain. It is generally well tolerated by patients as the needles used are very fine. When inserted into a trigger point, a nervous system reaction occurs and often a ‘twitch’ response is provoked leading to muscle relaxation.
The benefits of dry needling include:
- Pain reduction
- Relaxation of tight muscles
- Improve joint range of motion and flexibility
Common conditions that can benefit from dry needling include:
- Calf pain and Achilles issues
- Heel pain (plantar fasciitis)
- Shin splints
- Morton’s neuroma
- Cuboid syndrome