What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a non-invasive treatment technique used by therapists to release muscle knots. It has applications in treating conditions such as back, neck and shoulder tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow and knee pain. Dry needling is a treatment technique in which your provider inserts the needle directly into a trigger point identified by a physical therapist. This causes muscle twitches, an indication that the treatment is working.
How many sessions do I need?
Dry needling is a safe and effective treatment for many musculoskeletal conditions, such as back pain, neck pain, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, knee pain and shin splints. It reduces muscle tension, eliminates trigger points and speeds healing time. How often you should receive treatments depends on your condition and desired outcomes. On average, three to six sessions may be necessary.
How long will it take to see results?
Dry needling is a technique physical therapists and other healthcare providers use to address trigger points, which are small knots of tight muscle that can cause discomfort, restrict motion and impair performance. They can be linked to a variety of conditions, from low back and neck pain to muscle spasms and overuse injuries. When treated, they become more flexible and allow for pain-free movement. During your session, a sterile thin filament needle is inserted into the trigger point to cause it to twitch or “release.” This loosens the knot and improves blood flow to relieve pain. Many patients report immediate relief from muscle tension after their first session with dry needling. However, some require several sessions to fully experience its benefits.
Will I need to come back for more sessions?
If your chronic pain hasn’t responded to other treatments, dry needling may be an effective solution to help relieve your symptoms. During your session, a therapist will locate trigger points in your muscles and insert a needle into them for relief. After that, they may adjust the needle a bit in an effort to elicit a local twitch response in your muscle. This reaction can be very helpful in understanding how your muscles are feeling and will allow us to pinpoint where exactly your pain originates from. To schedule an appointment, you can contact us today.
What if I don’t see any results?
Dry needling is an effective way to help relieve muscle tension and chronic pain that may not respond to other methods. Additionally, it increases your range of motion, giving you increased confidence in everyday activities. Dry needling is a technique in which thin needles are inserted into specific muscle trigger points to release tension and reduce pain. It’s similar to acupuncture but more focused on muscular-skeletal issues. Although there is no guarantee that dry needling will be effective, it is a safe and minimally invasive option for many people suffering from chronic or acute pain. As part of a comprehensive pain management plan, dry needling can help you get back up on your feet without restrictions in life.