Dry needling in Sofia is a treatment in which Kaloyan places a thin sterile needle directly into a tight, painful point in the muscle (a trigger point). It is called “dry” because no medicine or other substance is injected through the needle. The muscle responds with a brief twitch and then relaxes. The method is based on the anatomy of the muscles, not on meridians, so it isn’t acupuncture. Kaloyan Zarkov has had specialist training in dry needling and does it at the practice in Lozenets, Sofia.
What to expect
Kaloyan first asks where it hurts and checks your movement. Then he feels the muscles to find the points that set off your familiar pain. The skin is cleaned and the needle goes in quickly. The needles are single-use, sterile and much thinner than injection needles.
You usually barely feel the needle prick itself. When the needle reaches the tight point, the muscle may twitch for a moment and you may feel a deep, dull ache that feels like your usual pain. This lasts a few seconds. The needles stay in from a few seconds to a few minutes, depending on the muscle. When needed, Kaloyan also passes a weak electric current through the needles. After that he often adds stretching, massage or exercises.
After the session the muscle may be sore for a day or two, as it is after a workout. Sometimes a small bruise is left where the needle went in. Most people notice a change after 1–3 sessions. You usually need several sessions, from a few days to a week apart.
What it helps with
- A stiff neck and pain between the shoulder blades
- Headaches that start in the neck and shoulders
- Lower back and buttock pain from tight muscles
- Shoulder pain when you lift your arm
- Tennis elbow
- Tight calves and hamstrings in runners
- Muscle pain that keeps coming back in the same place despite massage
Who it’s for
- You have a tight point in a muscle that massage can’t release.
- Your pain is muscular and you can feel it in one specific place.
- You exercise and your muscles tighten under load.
- You want to combine the needles with kinesitherapy (exercise and manual therapy) or massage.
When it isn’t suitable
- If you are very afraid of needles. Then there are other ways to work on tight muscles.
- If you are pregnant.
- If you have a pacemaker or another implanted electronic device, tell Kaloyan before the session.
- If you take blood thinners or have a clotting disorder.
- If you have a skin infection, a wound or swelling (lymphoedema) in the area.
- If you have an illness or treatment that weakens the immune system, epilepsy that isn’t under control, or an allergy to metal.
