Dry Needling

WHAT IS A VERRUCA? 

 The virus that forms a verruca is called the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and it can survive for a substantial period of time outside of the human body. To become active and problematic, it needs a host cell to infect. The virus finds this in the upper layers of the skin, known as the epidermis. It often enters into the epidermis through simple cuts or abrasions.

When the virus has infected the host cell, it alters the genome. The problems really arise when the virus reproduces. First, it produces two cells with the altered genome; those two produce four, eight, sixteen etc, until there are a sufficient number of altered cells for a verruca to become visible to the naked eye. 

The only way that a verruca can be successfully treated, is if every infected cell is destroyed. The only way that can be done is through an antibody response. For the same reason that we cannot simply curethe common cold and flu, we cannot cure verrucae; but the immune system can, given the chance and the right help. That is where dry needling is so useful.  

 HOW DOES DRY NEEDLING WORK? 

The way dry needling works is to push the verruca cells deeper into the body of the foot. This ultimately inoculates the underlying tissue and triggers an immune response. The appropriate antibodies are produced and over the subsequent weeks the verruca undergoes a natural deterioration before ultimately disappearing. 

THE PROCEDURE 

Our practitioners perform Dry Needling under local anaesthetic with an injection around the ankle, which ensures that the foot is completely numb before proceeding. Having established that the area to be treated has been completely anaesthetised, a hypodermic needle is used to repeatedly puncture the verruca. This pushes verruca tissue from the epidermis through into the dermis and underlying adipose tissue layer.  

Once this process has been completed a simple dry dressing is applied. This must be kept dry and clean for 24 hours. The anaesthetic will start to wear off in approximately three hours.

 

If you have any further questions about Dry Needling, or any other procedures we perform at the Sussex Foot Centre, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our admin team on: 01444 453874. Alternatively, you can email thomas@sussexfootcentre.co.uk.

We are trusted by our clients

Amy's been extremely helpful, informative and lovely to talk to during my foot appointment the last few visits. 100% recommend their services.
Darryl Rebbetts
Darryl Rebbetts
26/10/2022
Have had scan and chiropodist treatments and both were carried out with care and I was informed what would be done. I would highly recommend the Sussex foot centre for treatments.
Sheila Stobbs
Sheila Stobbs
15/10/2022
I was misdiagnosed by my GP after injuring myself long distance walking. Now I not only know what's wrong with me, but also how to remedy it so I can walk again. Great attention to detail. Thank you 😊
Liz Platt
Liz Platt
09/10/2022
Fantastic experience with the whole practice, there’s no where I’d trust more. Originally I went to have one issue sorted out, and have found another to be dealt with alongside. A practice where you feel listened to and taken seriously. Thanks again!
Nikki Martin
Nikki Martin
07/10/2022
Had an appointment with Jon Collins about a sore heel. Had a scan on both heels, which was followed by a detailed analysis of the results and an explanation (in layman's terms) what the issue was. Very impressed with his knowledge, how it was imparted and happy with our agreed action plan.
Jonathan Whitnall
Jonathan Whitnall
25/09/2022
Over the last 4 years or so, I have visited a number of professionals including physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths. I was experiencing recurring injuries in my left knee and hip from sports and from attempting to walk mid-distances. The pain was starting to flare in my back too. I was following the physiotherapists’ advice religiously and attending appointments regularly. However, the programme of exercises tended to make the pain worse rather than better. To add to my frustration, I was also misdiagnosed with a hip condition. In the back of my mind, I always felt there was something biomechanically incorrect in the way I move but I was reassured that was not the case until…..I booked an appointment with Jon at Sussex Foot Centre for a gait assessment. Jon quickly recognised the issue with my feet and their incorrect positioning. I was prescribed custom orthotics and after a few months of perfecting these, Jon then created my semi-permanent pair of orthotics. I have been walking further than I have done and am now back on the courts playing tennis, which I love, and never thought I would be able to do again. The whole team at Sussex Foot Centre are very helpful and efficient. My treatment is ongoing so as long as Jon is a podiatrist, I am his patient :) Thank you for everything!
Katherine Morley
Katherine Morley
22/09/2022
I had nail surgery last October and after all this time I can say it was worth it. Jon didn’t rush me into it and gave me all options available, in the end I decided to go for the surgery and Jon made it so easy and everything was explained to me before, during and afterwards. Any questions I had were always answered by Jon or one of his team and put my mind at rest (I’m a bit of a worrier). Can’t thank them enough for helping with something that I had tried to ignore for years.
Gavin Robertson
Gavin Robertson
01/09/2022
I highly recommend Sussex foot centre. I booked an appointment for the shoe insoles and Jon was very helpful and professional. He provided a great solution for me and I feel much better since I wear my new insoles. The entire team is also very nice and helpful with booking the appointments around my work schedule.
Michał Piotrowski
Michał Piotrowski
22/07/2022
After the NHS screwed up my ingrown toenail operation twice this year I decided to go private and it was the best decision. I was seen really quickly and toes healed within a couple of weeks, highly recommend sussex foot centre.
Lauryn Spink
Lauryn Spink
22/07/2022