Dry Needling and Cupping

Dry needling and Cupping are offered at Malvern Chiropractic Clinic and Melbourne Spine Clinic by Dr Danica Newbold.

What is Dry needling?

Fine ‘dry’’(without medication or injection) needles are inserted through the skin into tight muscles or trigger points to reduce pain and dysfunction.

What is a trigger point?

Myofascial pain syndrome or trigger points are focal, taut bands or ‘knots’ of irritable muscle fibres caused by trauma or chronic, repetitive stress on muscles that may cause pain, reduced function and increased stress on surrounding structures.

Compression of a trigger point may produce local pain or radiation to elsewhere in the body. An active trigger point is characterised by pain at rest and reproduction of referred pain with compression of the tender point. Trigger point therapy consists of soft tissue techniques including massage, dry needling and cupping.

Alveraz, D., Rockwell, P,. (2002). Trigger Points: Diagnosis and Management.
Am Fam Physician. 65(4). University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor,
Michigan. 653-661

What conditions can it treat?

• Neck and back pain
• Headaches
• Chronic muscle tightness
• Sporting injuries
• Tendinitis such as tennis elbow
• Repetitive strain injuries

What are the benefits?

• Deactivates trigger points and reduces muscle pain
• Strengthens tendons and ligaments
• Stimulates receptors which help to relax muscles
• Treats overactive muscles and reduces muscle tightness
• Promotes tissue healing

Sources: Tekin. L, Akarsu. S, Durmuş. O, Cakar. E, Dinçer. U, Kıralp. MZ. (2013)

The effect of dry needling in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial. Clin Rheumatol. 32(3), 309-15

• Dry needling decreased pain (VAS scores)
• Improves quality of life for people with myofascial pain syndrome (SF-36 scores)

What is Cupping?

Special glass cups are heated and placed on the body to create a suction effect on the skin, which promotes blood flow to the area to relax tight muscles and fascia, reduce pain and provide a massage like effect.

What conditions can it treat?

• Musculoskeletal pain and discomfort
• Back and shoulder pain
• Headaches
• Chronic muscle tightness
• Sporting injuries
• Cough or upper respiratory congestion

What are the benefits?

• Increases blood flow to help nourish and detoxify tissue
• Relaxation of tight muscles
• Decreased muscle pain
• Improves range of movement

Sources: Markowski, A., Sanford, S., Pikowski, L., Fauvell, D., Cimino, D., Caplan, S. (2013). A Pilot Study Analyzing the Effects of Chinese Cupping as an Adjunct Treatment for Patients with Subacute Low Back Pain on Relieving Pain, Improving Range of Motion, and Improving Function. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 18(0), 1-5

• Cupping is a low risk, therapeutic treatment for the prompt reduction of symptoms associated with sub acute and chronic low back pain
• Reduces pain and muscle tenderness
• Improves range of movement