CONSENT TO TREATMENT
General
As with all health care procedures there is a possibility of side effects which you should be informed about. Pain, tenderness, bruising, feeling sleepy, light headed, or dizzy can occur as a result of treatment and should all subside given the appropriate amount of time.
**Please note that you are able to stop treatment at any point even if you don’t experience these symptoms**
Dry Needling
Dry Needling works by changing the way your body senses pain, and by helping release muscle spasm associated with trigger points. There are additional electrical and chemical changes associated with Dry Needling therapy which assist in the healing process. It is important to see the needles as just one part of your overall rehabilitative treatment and therefore it is important to follow the advice your therapist gives you in conjunction with the needling for optimal recovery.
In general, there is very little risk associated with this technique if performed properly by a trained Myotherapist. You may have a little redness, bruising or tenderness around the needle site, much the same as you would with any injection. On rare occasions, people may feel very happy, tearful, sweaty or cold. These symptoms all fade quickly. Fainting may occur in a very small minority of people. There are no lasting ill effects of these side effects. Some post needle soreness is common following Dry Needling, this should be seen in a similar way to soreness following a strenuous gym workout, signifying an effective treatment. Bathing in a public pool/spa or further massage treatment is not recommended for 24-48 hours following Dry Needling due to the increased risk of infection.
If you are being treated in the shoulder, neck or chest area, there is a risk of developing a condition called pneumothorax (air in the space around the lung). This is a rare but serious problem, and you should go directly to a hospital casualty department without panicking if it occurs. The symptoms of this event include shortness of breath which gets worse, sudden sharp pain each time you breathe in, a bluish tinge to your lips, and an inability to “catch your breath”. Treatment is very successful for this rare but possible complication. Rest assured that all needling performed in this clinic is undertaken with the utmost care and precision, without exception needles are never directly orientated towards the lungs.