Dry needling is typically used to release knots and relieve muscle spasms and pain. During dry needling, a practitioner inserts several filiform needles into your skin. Filiform needles are fine, short, stainless steel needles that don’t inject fluid into the body (which is why the term “dry” is used). When the needle penetrates the knots in a muscle, it elicits a “twitch” response. This twitch leads to a release of pain and indicates a deactivation of the painful trigger point. 

Looking closely, the effects of dry needling at the cellular level are that the muscle’s physiology changes to better absorb calcium, improve circulation, encourage tissue remodeling and promote healing. This process can be compared to re-booting the hard drive on a computer.

Your physical therapist places the needle in knotted, hard muscle also called “trigger points” of your muscle or tissue. The needles will remain in your skin for a short period of time. The length of time varies based on the discretion of the therapist. 

 

 

Non-Trigger Point Technique

Some dry needling techniques treat a broader landscape of the central nervous system. This is called non-trigger point treatment. Instead of inserting needles only in the area of pain, the practitioner may instead insert needles in areas around the point of pain instead of directly on it. This technique relies on the idea that pain is the result of a greater nerve or muscular issue, not just focused in the main area of pain.

 

What are the Benefits of Dry Needling?

  • Relieves muscle pain
  • Releases trigger points
  • Promotes healing
  • Encourages tissue remodeling
  • Increases circulation
  • Improves flexibility and range of motion
  • Speeds recovery for sports injuries
  • Relieves fibromyalgia

 

Are there Side Effects or Risks to Dry Needling?

The most common side effects seen by therapists include:

  • Bruising
  • Bleeding
  • Temporary soreness

 

How Long does it take for Dry Needling to Help?

In many cases, immediate improvements with mobility occur and decreased pain is felt within 24 hours. Typically, it may take a few treatment sessions (once a week for 2-3 weeks) for a lasting positive effect.

 

So what are the advantages of Dry Needling?

Quick and Fast Access

-The advantage over other techniques is that we can treat parts of the muscle and deeper layers of muscles which our hands and fingers cannot reach. It works much faster than massage and relaxes the muscles much faster.

No Drugs Involved

-There are absolutely no drugs used in dry needling, making it safer with less side effects to treat a large array of ailments like back, neck, shoulder and hip pain!

Immediate Pain Relief

-Deactivation of the trigger points can bring immediate relief of symptoms, and then we can immediately stretch and train the muscles to work in their new pain free range of motion. Thus, results are achieved with dry needling which cannot be obtained with any other treatment.

 

What other things can you treat with Dry Needling?

Combined with other physical therapy skills Dry needling can be used to treat the following conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Auto Injuries
  • Compression Fractures
  • Degenerative Diseases
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Elbow Pain, Wrist Pain, Hand Pain
  • Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow (Lateral & Medical Epicondylitis)
  • Herniated or Bulging Disc
  • Low Back Pain
  • Mid Back Pain
  • Osteoporosis
  • Post-surgery Rehab
  • Sacroiliac Joint Pain and Stiffness
  • Sciatica and Radiating Pain
  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Sprain/Strain

 

Give us a call at 904-280-2002 if you would like a free consultation to see if this treatment will work for you! Answers are Free, Treatment is Lasting, Relief is Forever.