Dry Needling in Physical Therapy Free Essay Example, 1250 words

Trigger point model. This model basically deals with MTrPS. Dommerholt et al. (2006) found that when there is an excessive release of acetylcholine, it creates a â€Å"discharge at MTrP sites, consisting of low amplitude discharges† in painful trigger points. Active MTrPs trigger the pain and move them apart while the latent ones cannot do so. MTrPs also include local twitch response (LTR) which causes the muscle fibres to contract and form a taut band. LTRs let the physician know that he has injected the needle into the correct MTrP. Spinal segmental sensitization model. â€Å"The Spinal Segmental Sensitization Model is developed by Dr. Andrew Fischer and combines aspects of Travell and Simons’ trigger point model and Gunn’s radiculopathy model† (as cited in Dommerholt, 2008). According to them, the musculoskeletal pain can be relieved by certain methods such as needling of trigger points, somatic and preinjection blocks, spray and stretch, and exercises for the relaxation of the targeted muscles. Dommerholt (2008) states that the main difference between the two approaches put forth by Gunn and Fischer is that Fischer uses injection needles whereas Gunn uses acupuncture needles. Effects of Dry Needling Dommerholt (2008) has discussed in his research the mechanical, neurophysiological and chemical effects of dry needling. We will write a custom essay sample on Dry Needling in Physical Therapy or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now Mechanical effects. Talking about mechanical effects, he states that when an MTrP is triggered in dry needling, it â€Å"may mechanically disrupt the integrity of the dysfunctional motor end plates†. Moreover, If an MTrP is mechanically stretched by the needle, then by rotating it, the connective tissue gets wrapped around it, which is also referred as ‘needle grasp’. Doing so straightens out the collagen bundle, brings them closer and an LTR occurs. The therapist can cause the needle grasp to occur by moving the needle up and down when he is inserting it in an MTrP. It causes change in total length of the fiber and blocks the nociceptive substances which relieves pain eventually. Neurophysiological effects. According to Baldry (as cited in Dommerholt, 2008), superficial dry needling causes prolonged stimulation of A-delta nerve fibers which suppresses the pain. Stimulation of A-delta also activates the â€Å"serotonergic and noradrenergic descending inhibitor y systems†. Chemical effects (local twitch response). Shah, Phillips, Danoff, and Gerber (2005) have found by experimentation the importance of elicitation of LTRs with DN. They experimented with eliciting LTRs at the sites where active and latent MTrPs were located.