Dry Needling: Here’s the Point

Let’s talk about a patient that we are seeing more and more of in Physical Therapy these days. We’ll call him Ted. Ted, desperate for some relief from his shoulder pain, came into the clinic almost unable to raise his arm. It was clearly not due to a lack of potential strength or effort. Ted was a high-level CrossFit trainer/participant and an incredibly in-shape person. He complained that he could not raise his arm following a workout, which was limiting his ability to perform his job and recreation. After 1 dry needling session, he was able to resume his normal routine in both the gym and the office.

In this article, we’ll explore how trigger point dry needling therapy, a treatment that uses needles to target muscle knots without medication, has helped Ted. We’ll walk you through the process and its benefits to help you decide whether this treatment may be right for you.

What is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is the insertion of a solid, dry needle into taut muscle tissue or trigger points to reduce pain, decrease tightness, and improve function. The treatment is “dry” because the needle or filament used does not contain any medication or liquid. A trained Physical Therapist (PT) uses a full physical evaluation, along with expertise in musculoskeletal anatomy and physiology and overall movement patterns, to determine the appropriate treatment.

How Does Dry Needling Work?

Dry needling is effective because it alters the tension of local muscle tissue and the neuromuscular (brain-to-muscle) connections between associated tissues. It’s similar to rebooting a computer when you get a dreaded blue screen. Dry needling helps reset the connection between injured tissue and the brain. Changing the chemical environment within the tissue helps restore normal connections, improving pain control, flexibility, and function.

Is Dry Needling the Same as Acupuncture?

Dry needling and acupuncture are not the same. While dry needling uses an acupuncture filament, the similarities end there. Dry needling treatment is determined after an extensive medical evaluation to identify injury and dysfunction. It is also performed by experts in physical movement with graduate-level training in anatomy and physiology of the human body.

Does it Hurt?

At first thought, one may think placing a needle in muscle tissue can be somewhat uncomfortable; however, with a trained dry needle expert, typically only a small “pinch” is felt when the needle is inserted. This is usually much more comfortable than having a blood drawn or getting a shot. When the needle reaches the level of the trigger point or tight muscle, a deep “toothache” feeling is experienced. A slight muscle twitch, or local twitch response, may also be perceived. These are all normal and desired sensations to restore normal motion, strength, and function. The vast majority of people describe a “weird” sensation during treatment.

Who Can Benefit From Dry Needling?

Almost anyone can benefit from dry needling physical therapy; however, some may experience greater results. Dry needling is quite effective in treating the following:

• Chronic neck pain, low back pain, and other muscle pain
• Headaches
• Tendinitis
• Bursitis
• Sprains/strains
• Muscle pain
• Acute injuries

A trained PT will utilize dry needling, stretching, strengthening, and other treatments to fully diagnose and resolve the issue at hand. Patients can expect to feel some improvement after 1 session, and full results vary with the number of treatments, usually based on chronicity.

Who Shouldn’t Use Dry Needling Treatment?

Dry needling isn’t right for everyone. Certain medical conditions or situations may mean this technique should be avoided or modified. This may include people who:

• Are pregnant
• Have bleeding disorders
• Have compromised immune systems
• Have a strong fear of needles.

That’s why a thorough evaluation is always the first step. Your Ivy Rehab physical therapist will review your health history, listen to your concerns, and determine whether dry needling is a safe and appropriate option for you. If it’s not the right fit, we’ll explore other treatment options to help you reach your goals—because there’s more than one way to move toward feeling better.

Achieve Personalized Dry Needling Therapy for Lasting Relief with Ivy Rehab

Dry needling is a useful and effective treatment used in conjunction with traditional physical therapy. Whether you’ve had back pain for years or pulled a hamstring in a recent game, dry needling may help restore function and support a return to daily activities.