Dry Needling During Pregnancy
What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a therapeutic technique using filament needles to release trigger points, which are taut bands in the muscles. Dry needling is sometimes referred to as Western Acupuncture. It can be used to treat any condition where muscle pain or tightness is an issue.
What does Dry Needling do?
Dry needling can have many benefits, including:
Pain relief
Improved range of movement
Improved function
Improved muscle activation
Issues can occur in association with pregnancy where a change in posture, increased ligamentous laxity, and decreased muscle strength can all lead to increased pain and discomfort. For all of the issues above, dry needling is a safe and effective treatment.
In general, it is advised to use dry needling with caution in pregnant patients, while avoiding certain areas such as the abdomen, upper lumbar spine, and sacrum. Dry needling risks should be outlined clearly to the patient before treatment.
Studies
Studies have concluded that acupuncture is safe in the hands of a qualified practitioner. A study conducted “Pregnancy outcome following women's participation in a randomised controlled trial of acupuncture to treat nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy” (Smith, 2002).
This study assessed the risk of adverse effects of acupuncture administered during pregnancy. The results were that no differences were found between study groups in the incidence of perinatal outcome, congenital abnormalities, pregnancy complications, and other infant outcomes. No serious adverse effects arise from acupuncture administered in early pregnancy.
As well as pain relief, Dry needling has also been used and shown to reduce nausea in pregnancy. According to The Pharmacist’s resource for Clinical Excellence, Acupuncture for the treatment of morning sickness, adequate and well-controlled studies have not demonstrated a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy and that there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters.
According to the NIH's NationalCenter for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, acupuncture is an extremely safe technique and has been used for more than 2,500 years, acupuncture has been the primary form of health care in China.
Aileen Maquire, our clinic director and principal Physiotherapist has a special interest in this patient group. Treating pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy stimulated Aileen’s interest in pelvic health. Combining her musculoskeletal skills and additional knowledge in the management of continence gives Aileen a unique perspective in the treatment of this patient group. She is a guest lecturer on the undergraduate/master’s graduate programmes in both UCD and RCSI on this topic. She has also lectured community-based Physiotherapists, midwives, and nursing staff in the Mater Hospital Dublin.
If you have been experiencing pregnancy-related pain, contact us here or book online.
Pregnancy Services
Here at Ballsbridge Physiotherapy Clinic, we want to support you in having a healthy and happy pregnancy. One of the best ways to prepare for pregnancy, both physically and mentally, is to become or remain physically active prior to, during and after pregnancy.