Electro-muscular Dry Needling. What is it?

BY Candi Macknamara 

Electro-muscular Dry Needling (EMDN) is a similar technique to Myofascial Dry Needling, with the addition of electrotherapy. The technique involves the therapeutic intervention of stimulation electrotherapy, deep within the targeted tissues and has been shown to elicit muscle relaxation and increase local blood circulation.

An electrical current is applied to the muscle and/or tendons via the inserted microfilament needles at varied frequency, dependent on the presenting condition and desired results. The patient does not feel any pain, only a rhythmic muscle contraction and relaxation during the session.
During a treatment session the body will undergo a neurological, physiological and endocrine response, targeted both at the site of pain (local response) and at the pain mechanisms (global response).

How can Electro-muscular Dry Needling help you?
EMDN initiates the ascending nerve fibres, those involved in pain processing in the nervous system and also modulates the neurotransmitters involved in the sensory output of pain which inhibits the pain output resulting in the reduction of pain. This makes EMDN a fantastic treatment option for those suffering from chronic pain conditions such as chronic lower back pain and fibromyalgia.

Similarly to myofascial dry needling, the process of inserting the needles into the muscle causes microdamage to the tissue and triggers the body to release its natural healing mechanisms. The natural chemical processes released, facilitate the immune system to enhance healing within the area making it a valued addition to the recovery of muscle tears or strains, and areas of inflammation such as tendinopathies, plantar fasciitis, and bursitis.

EMDN is also a valuable treatment for muscle recovery, chronic ‘tightness’ or local muscular fatigue. The initiation of the trigger point within the muscle creates a response within the muscle which causes it to relax, the addition of the current amplifies this theory invoking a longer duration of muscle contraction and therefor producing further muscle relaxation.   

Electro-muscular dry needling is used in conjunction to other techniques within a Myotherapy session.