Do They Numb You For Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a physical therapy technique that utilizes ultra-thin needles to target trigger points (sensitive spots in soft tissue) in order to reduce pain and enhance function. It has proven beneficial for various musculoskeletal conditions such as neck/back pain, shoulder/elbow/knee pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Learn more about dry needling at Total Health & Rehab Center.
Physical therapists may palpate your muscle before inserting the needle to locate your trigger point. Once in, you should feel a muscle “twitch,” which is indicative of how your muscles are responding.
Benzocaine
Benzocaine is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication commonly found in pain relief products like creams, gels, sprays, and lozenges. It can help alleviate discomfort from insect bites, minor scrapes, cuts, and burns as well as reduce sensation during dental procedures or injections.
Benzocaine can reduce sensitivity before dry needling, so that you don’t feel as though you’re being poked too hard. However, be aware of the serious reaction known as methemoglobinemia which could result in life-threatening symptoms like headache, dizziness, difficulty breathing, and rapid heart rate.
Lidocaine
Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that blocks nerve signals to the skin in its application area. It’s commonly used to reduce pain during surgery, dental work, and other medical procedures.
Epinephrine can also be mixed with small amounts of lidocaine to reduce bleeding and prolong the numbing effect. It can be administered orally as an injection or IV for medical and cosmetic procedures.
Lidocaine can cause the following side effects: blisters, bruising, swelling, redness, and itching; these usually disappear within minutes to hours after taking effect.
Before dry needling, using numbing cream can help minimize the pain experienced during the procedure. However, make sure your skin is completely dry and intact before applying lidocaine product. Furthermore, be careful not to rub it onto areas covered by clothing or other materials.
Pre-prepared bandages
Bandages are an essential tool in treating minor cuts, scrapes, and wounds. Not only do they prevent infection and stop bleeding, but they can also accelerate wound healing by aiding in circulation of oxygen-rich blood.
Bandages can also be used to fashion slings, swathes, or tourniquets that will keep an injured person comfortable and secure until they can visit a doctor. Stocking up on bandages is essential for any first aid kit – make sure you stock up!
Doctors typically utilize z-fold gauze (sometimes referred to as S-rolled) for critical wound packing due to its ability to control bleeding quickly. Roll-in sterile gauze is another great option that can be folded twice its thickness for extra protection.
Topical anesthetics
Dry needling is a physical therapy technique used to address and deactivate trigger points. Trigger points are hyperirritable taut bands of muscle that cause localized or referred pain patterns that can be felt elsewhere on the body.
Tight muscles cause discomfort, restrict proper blood flow, and pull on structures attached to them (bones and joints). Releasing trigger points helps relieve these symptoms.
Dry needling uses a needle to cause an uncomfortable localized twitch response that releases the trigger point and restores proper blood flow to the muscle. Additionally, this movement allows the muscle to lengthen closer to its natural state, relieving pulling at attachment sites which may lead to pain or inflammation.
At present, there are limited studies evaluating the efficacy of dry needling performed by physical therapists. Nonetheless, moderate-quality evidence points towards dry needling being more effective at relieving pain during a 12-week treatment period compared with sham or other treatments.
If you’re interested in trying dry needling as a treatment option, contact Total Health & Rehab Center to schedule an appointment with our team of specialists.
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