You may have heard someone mention dry-needling before as a way to help with pain and improve healing. While the name itself may make you feel uneasy, it is an effective treatment for injuries to muscles and connective tissue.
What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a treatment modality that uses thin, monofilament needles to treat a variety of injuries all over the body. Clinicians will often target trigger points to treat with these needles, which are localized bands of dysfunctional tissue that can be tight or painful. These trigger points can be found directly where you feel pain or create pain from another part of the body. Utilizing the needle, these points are stimulated which can decrease pain, increase circulation, and bring about relaxation to tight parts of the body. The needles are considered “dry” because they have no medication in them!
Why Do I Need Dry Needling?
While there are a variety of treatments to help improve recovery and maximize performance, dry needling is a powerful tool that can be used to your advantage. Because of the thin profile of the needles, they can affect tissue and trigger points deeper than massage can reach. Dry needling can also have systemic effects, such as improving sleep and decreasing overall stress.
Common Questions With Dry Needling?
What is the difference between dry needling and acupuncture?
While acupuncture and dry needling use the same needles, the theories behind both are different. The primary focus of acupuncture is to change the flow of energy, or chi, through meridian points that are found throughout the body. Dry needling focuses more on the treatment of dysfunction of muscles and connective tissue.
Does dry needling hurt?
Not often! Most times people experience no sensation at all when the needles are inserted, but can occasionally feel a mild pinching sensation. Once the needle is in the body there may also be some twitches or mild radiating soreness, but those are considered normal as trigger points are treated.
What happens after you get dry-needled?
The best thing to do following a dry needling session is to go about your day as normal! Most people feel some change following treatment, which can either be a reduction of pain and tightness or general soreness. We recommend treating with heat in the form of a hot pack or a shower to help manage pain symptoms.
How long will the benefits last?
Everyone responds to treatment differently. Usually, people can experience benefits for 4-7 days following dry needling!
What types of conditions can benefit from dry needling?
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Headaches
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Neck Pain
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Rotator Cuff Injuries
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Shoulder Pain
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Low Back Pain
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Overuse Injuries
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Plantar Fasciitis
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Knee Pain
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Tendonitis
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Hip Pain
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Scar tissue
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Pelvic Floor Issues including incontinence, prolapse & pain
Think dry needling may benefit you? Contact us to get started today!
