Dry Needling
Dry needling is a treatment that uses acupuncture needles to stimulate trigger points in the muscles. It is used to relieve pain and improve muscle function.
Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture
Dry needling is a relatively new treatment, but it is becoming more popular as awareness of its effectiveness grows. It is most commonly used to treat musculoskeletal pain, but it can also be used to treat other conditions such as headaches and migraines. Dry needling is similar to acupuncture, but they are not the same thing.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for centuries for healing. It is based on the belief in Eastern medicine that there are energy pathways in the body called meridians. When these pathways become blocked, it can cause pain and illness.
Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into the skin to stimulate the energy pathways. The thin needle is thought to help to unblock the flow of energy along the meridians and restore balance to the body.
Acupuncture is generally considered to be safe. The most common side effects are mild and temporary, such as bruising or soreness at the needle site.
Dry needling
Dry needling comes from Western medicine and is based on the modern understanding of anatomy and physiology. Where 'wet needling' is the use of a hollow hypodermic needles to inject a liquid substance, 'dry needling' uses a solid filament needle. It is typically used by inserting the needle into the skin over specific points of the body in order to induce a release of the muscle fibers or muscle knots forming painful myofascial trigger points.
The thin filiform needle is much smaller than an acupuncture needle and is not inserted as deeply into the skin as acupuncture for superficial dry needling. In deep dry needling the needle may go deeper into connective tissue or muscle tissue.
Does dry needling hurt?
Most people who have dry needling done report feeling a minor discomfort during the treatment. There is usually no pain after the treatment. Some people may experience bruising or soreness at the needle site, but this is usually mild and temporary.
Does dry needling work?
Dry needling can be an effective adjunctive treatment for pain relief as it reduces muscle tension and improves pain in the skeletal muscle. Trigger point dry needling helps reduce pain and stiffness while increasing your flexibility, and improving muscle function and range of motion. Dry needling techniques are often used by healthcare providers and physical therapists as part of a broader treatment plan rather than as a standalone procedure.
There are very few risks associated with dry needling. The most common side effect is mild discomfort during the treatment. Like acupuncture, some people may experience bruising or soreness at the needle site, but this is also usually mild and temporary.
Is dry needling right for me?
While dry needling can be used as a treatment option for:
Muscle aches
Muscle pain
Muscle spasms
Joint problems
Rotator cuff injuries
Appearance of scar tissue
Migraine and tension headaches
Chronic pain
Plantar fasciitis
Movement impairments
Neck pain
Repetitive motion disorders
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Tennis elbow
Myofascial pain syndrome
Tendinitis
Low back pain
Spinal problems
...and more. Everyone is different, but the benefits of dry needling are well proven. However, there are contraindications to dry needling that include active infection, coagulation disorders or while taking blood thinners. Be sure and tell us about any medical conditions and prescriptions.
