Kuivnõel

Kuivnõel, also known as dry needling, is a therapeutic technique utilized by physical therapists and other licensed healthcare professionals. It involves the insertion of thin, sterile needles, similar to those used in acupuncture, into specific points in the muscles. The primary goal of dry needling is to target trigger points, which are hyperirritable spots within a taut band of skeletal muscle that can cause referred pain and dysfunction.

Unlike acupuncture, which is based on traditional Chinese medicine principles of balancing the flow of qi, dry needling is rooted in Western neurophysiology. The insertion of the needle aims to disrupt the localized muscle contraction, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. When a needle is inserted into a trigger point, it can elicit a local twitch response, which is believed to be a key element in releasing muscle tension and pain.

Practitioners may use dry needling to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain, as well as sports-related injuries and headaches. Patients may experience some soreness after treatment, but this is generally temporary. The effectiveness of dry needling can vary depending on the individual and the condition being treated. It is often used in conjunction with other therapeutic modalities such as exercise and manual therapy.