(MENAFN- Gulf Times) A physical therapy intervention technique called dry needling is gaining popularity to manage muscle pain and movement impairments, according to a statement from Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) .
Last month, the Physiotherapy Department at Rumailah Hospital, HMC, organised a Dry Needling workshop for clinical physiotherapists. The six-day course, conducted by South African-based Optimal Dry Needling Solutions Institute, saw 34 physiotherapists certified.
Similar to acupuncture, the technique involves inserting a fine needle into a trigger point, or knot, to release pressure. Dr Noora al-Mudahka, chief of physiotherapy at Rumailah Hospital, says a number of patients treated using physical therapy at HMC are benefiting from the innovative therapy.
'The dry needling approach has become increasingly popular in recent times as many practitioners and patients look for non-pharmacological pain management options. It involves inserting a sterile, single-use, fine needle through the skin, into the muscle. It has been shown to effectively decrease pain and improve function through releasing myofascial trigger points, commonly known as knots in the muscle. The needles contain no liquid, and nothing is injected, hence the name ‘dry' needling, said Dr al-Mudahka.
While the evidence-based technique is invasive, dry needling is only minimally invasive and minimally discomforting. While it can be an effective treatment for many patients with chronic pain, it is not appropriate for all and therefore requires a comprehensive assessment and clinical reasoning to ensure it is the right intervention and that it is done correctly.
'When a fine filament needle is inserted into the centre of a myofascial trigger point, blood pools around the needle, triggering the contracted muscle fibres to relax. In addition to providing those fibres with fresh oxygen and nutrients, it helps flush away additional acidic chemicals.
The technique leads to the decompression of the local blood and nerve supply and can effectively assist with pain management and help to restore movement if a joint is constrained by myofascial trigger points, added Dr al-Mudahka.
The treatment can be used in combination with other techniques such as manual therapy and exercise as part of a physical therapy or pain management programme. Dr al-Mudahka said that in addition to effectively managing headaches, sciatica, and conditions like shoulder, back, and neck pain, it can also help speed up a patient's return to active functional status.
Ayman Raafat Mahmoud, supervisor of Male Outpatient Physiotherapy at Rumailah Hospital, said the course provided an opportunity for qualified physiotherapists to be trained and licensed to use dry needling. 'Physiotherapists who attended the course acquired both the technical skills and the theoretical understanding required to perform dry needling therapy safely and effectively. These practitioners are now able to use this technique to help alleviate their patients' pain, and ultimately improve their clinical outcomes, he said.
Mahmoud said patients treated by physiotherapists using the technique showed significantly improved clinical outcomes.
MENAFN1703201900670000ID1098267688
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.