Dry Needling – Relieve Your Pain

Dry needling is a treatment technique where a thin needle is inserted through the skin into muscle areas known as “trigger points” to relieve myofascial pain and muscle spasm. The needles used are solid rather than hollow, and no medication is injected.

Dry needling may be one component of treatment used in conjunction with other manual therapy techniques and therapeutic exercises. When performing dry needling, the desired reaction is a “twitch response” where the specific band of muscle involuntarily contracts in response to insertion of the needle. While beneficial effects can occur without the twitch response, patients who experience a twitch tend to have increased positive effects.

Dry needling is effective at relieving muscle tightness, soreness, and trigger points associated with many musculoskeletal conditions.

What is Dry Needling?

Inserting a needle into a taut band of muscle tissue (trigger point) can cause a “twitch response” which allows for various neurological, chemical, and physical effects to occur in the muscle.

• Increased Blood Flow: blood flow in the area will increase and continue to increase following removal of the needle, allowing increased oxygen and nutrients to flow to the area
• Decreased Muscle Shortening: by releasing spasm, the muscle is able to return to a more normal resting length which allows for more efficient firing and thus stronger and more efficient contraction as well as decreased resting tension in a body area
• Release of Waste Product Build Up: trigger points can hold on to the waste products that develop as a result of muscle contraction rather than allowing them to be excreted back into the blood stream. Releasing the trigger point can allow those waste products to be excreted into the blood stream.

Benefits of Dry Needling

Dry needling is effective at relieving muscle tightness, soreness, and trigger points associated with many musculoskeletal conditions.

Your physical therapist will perform a detailed evaluation of your symptoms and come up with a plan of care. You can ask your physical therapist if he or she believes dry needling will be helpful in your treatment.

Running Injuries

• Achilles Tendonitis
• Shin Splints
• Plantar Fasciitis (Foot Pain)
• IT Band Syndrome
• Hamstring Strain

Neck and Shoulder Pain

• Disk and Nerve Problems
• Neck Pain
• TMJ
• Migraines/Headaches
• Rotator Cuff
• Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
• Upper Back and Shoulder

Low Back and Hip Pain

• Low Back Pain
• Herniated or Bulging Disc
• Hip Bursitis
• Sciatica
• Stenosis
• Scoliosis

What Does Dry Needling Feel Like?

For most people, there is little to no discomfort with the insertion of the needle. However, once the needle hits the trigger point, you will experience a “twitch response” which often feels like a quick muscle cramp. Following this technique muscle soreness can be felt up to 24-48 hours. The application of heat and drinking plenty of fluids usually reduces the soreness.

Is Dry Needling Right for You?

Dry Needling Therapy is suitable for a wide range of individuals, including post-surgery patients, athletes, and those seeking to reduce pain and increase their range of motion. Our experienced physical therapists at ProFlex will evaluate your condition, medical history, and goals to determine if dry-needling therapy is the right choice for you.