What Is Dry Needling? Everything You Need To Know
Dry needling, also known as trigger point dry needling or myofascial trigger point dry needling, is a technique used by physical therapists who are certified in the procedure to treat myofascial pain. Myofascial tissue is the skeletal muscle and connecting tissue that supports it. The term “dry needle” refers to a needle without medication or injection that is inserted into the muscle. You might think dry needling is much the same as acupuncture, but they are very different. Acupuncture was developed thousands of years ago and is based on Eastern medicine. It is used to promote wellness by releasing energy flow in the body. Dry needling is a recently developed procedure that is founded in Western medicine. It is based on thorough research involving pain patterns, posture, movement impairments, and function.
What Is A Trigger Point?
Muscles can sometimes develop knots that are sensitive or painful when touched. These knots are called trigger points. Trigger points often form after injuries or overuse of a muscle, but they can also result from improper or impaired posture, vitamin deficiency, aging, lack of exercise, or other reasons. Trigger points can disrupt normal function and restrict range of motion. When pushed on, a trigger point may refer pain to other areas of the body. Physical therapists treat these trigger points by pushing thin needles into them to stimulate the tissue and increase blood flow with the desired effect of relaxing the knot and reducing local and referred pain. Needles can be inserted either superficially or deep, depending on the trigger point being treated. The needles can be left in the body statically or manipulated to achieve the desired effect. It is thought that the stimulation of the myofascial tissue effectively changes the way the brain and muscles talk to each other, allowing the system to return to a more normal movement pattern.
Initially, dry needling can cause local twitching of the muscle. Once the muscle has relaxed, due to the dry needle releasing or deactivating trigger points, the treatment begins to relieve pain and improve range of motion. It has been shown to have many other benefits as well, including improving mobility, reducing a patient’s need for pain medication, speeding up tissue repair after an injury, and reducing inflammation from arthritis or other conditions. Because dry needling can directly treat deeper trigger points that massage or other physical therapy techniques cannot, it helps facilitate a faster recovery and return to normal function.
What Kind of Needles Are Used In Dry Needling?
Thin, filiform needles are used for dry needling. They are solid, sterile, and only used once. The needle penetrates the skin and stimulates underlying myofascial trigger points and muscular and connective tissues. By utilizing dry needling, a physical therapist can target specific tissues they are unable to reach with standard massage techniques, especially when treating deeper, intramuscular trigger points. Physical therapists wear gloves and personal protective equipment when dry needling. The used sterile needles are disposed of in a medical sharps collector.
How Does Dry Needling Help?
When physical therapists use dry needling, it is typically part of a larger treatment plan that may include various types of exercise, manual therapy, and education. Dry needling is used to increase range of motion that may be limited due to muscle tightness, injury, or scar tissue. Dry needling may also be used to treat such ailments as joint pain, low back pain, tendinitis, tennis elbow, migraines, whiplash, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Some other common conditions that can be treated with dry needling combined with other physical therapy techniques include:
- Arthritis
- Auto injuries
- Compression fractures
- Degenerative diseases
- Wrist pain
- Hand pain
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Osteoporosis
- Post-surgery rehab
- Sacroiliac joint pain and stiffness
- Sciatica and radiating pain
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Sprains and strains
Drawbacks of Dry Needling
Dry needling can result in some adverse side effects, but these are typically minor. A patient may experience some bruising, bleeding, skin irritation, or soreness during or following treatment. Soreness or any increase in pain usually only lasts 24 to 48 hours. Some patients experience fatigue or fainting. Systemic infection is always a concern when a needle punctures the skin, but with the use of sterile needles, gloves, and other protective gear, the likelihood of infection is extremely low.
Another real drawback to dry needling is that many people are not comfortable with the thought of being stuck with a needle for any reason. Those with a fear of needles are not good candidates for dry needling. The techniques also should not be used on pregnant women, patients who have compromised immune systems, and those with skin conditions or rashes that may be irritated from dry needling.
Beyond PT is Franklin’s Best Dry Needling Therapy Office
Dry needling is an effective tool that our Franklin physical therapists use in the treatment of pain because it allows for the precise targeting of deep tissues that cannot be reached by surface touch. Dry needling has been shown to be a powerful tool to relieve pain, improve range of motion, prevent surgery, and speed up a patient’s rehabilitation. In many cases, these improvements are experienced immediately or within 24 hours, but it typically takes several treatment sessions over the course of 2 or 3 weeks to achieve long-lasting results. Dry needling is a safe, tested, and medication-free option for treating pain successfully. If you’re looking for a professional dry needling physical therapist in Franklin, TN, look no further than Beyond Physical Therapy. Contact us today at (629) 239-3170 to schedule an appointment!aq