In this podcast episode, Barbara Cagnie, a physiotherapist and manual therapist, discusses the topic of dry needling, providing valuable insights into its definition, physiological effects, and clinical applications. Dry needling is described as a technique used by physiotherapists to treat myofascial pain, with the insertion of thin filiform needles into specific trigger points aiming to reduce pain and restore muscle function. Barbara highlights the physiological basis of dry needling, emphasizing its effects on peripheral and central systems, as well as its potential impact on pain and inflammation.

The discussion delves into the differences between active and latent trigger points, reliability in identifying trigger points, and the mechanism of referred pain. Barbara also addresses the evidence supporting the efficacy of dry needling in various musculoskeletal disorders, particularly in neck pain, highlighting the need for ongoing research to further explore its clinical applications.

The conversation touches on the contraindications and potential risks of dry needling, emphasizing the importance of proper training and anatomical knowledge to minimize adverse events. The future of dry needling is also considered, with mentions of ultrasoundguided and electrical dry needling techniques.

Barbara's expertise and comprehensive explanations serve to demystify dry needling and shed light on its clinical relevance. Her insights not only provide valuable information for physiotherapists but also instill curiosity about the potential of this technique in optimizing patient care.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:46 Defining Dry Needling
01:49 The Physiology
07:26 Difficulty of human studies
08:15 Active vs. Latent Trigger Points
10:05 Reliability Issues of TP Therapy
12:00 Referred pain in Trigger Points
15:40 The local twitch response
17:50 Insitu vs. winding technique
18:36 Research vs. Clinical Practice
20:22 Dry Needling for Tendinopathy?
23:58 Evidence for MSK Complaints
28:01 Contraindications and Risks
30:45 Needles vs. Hands
32:16 Kai's Dry Needling Anecdote
33:06 Are we chasing shortterm effects?
35:26 Top 3 Reasons to learn Dry Needling
40:01 Closing thoughts
41:06 Outro

This is not medical advice! The content is intended to be educational only for health professionals and students. If you are a patient, seek care of a health care professional.