How Many Sessions of Dry Needling Are Needed?
Dry needling is an efficient, safe treatment for relieving trigger points that cause pain. These points can be located in any muscle group and be caused by anything from sports injuries to overuse syndromes. At Total Health & Rehab Center, a trained therapist will insert sterile needles into specific muscle trigger points to release these knotted muscles, relieving your pain and increasing mobility.
Acute pain
Dry needling can provide immediate relief from acute pain. This effective therapy may benefit individuals suffering from muscle spasms, trigger points, nerve pain and chronic discomfort. The treatment begins with the provider palpating the area to identify trigger points, then inserting very fine sterile needles into each trigger point. This causes muscles to contract and relax, improving blood flow while relieving pain. Needles are only inserted for a brief period of time — from 10 seconds to 20 minutes. The duration of the session depends on the type and intensity of pain, as well as what treatment goals have been established. Patients often report feeling immediate relief following their sessions.
Chronic pain
Dry needling is a non-invasive therapy that utilizes fine needles to loosen muscle tension, reduce inflammation and accelerate healing. It’s often recommended by physical therapists or acupuncturists with advanced training in this technique. Your physical therapist at Total Health & Rehab Center will sterilize the area to be treated, then insert thin needles directly into identified trigger points. Most patients don’t feel the insertion of these needles, though some may experience slight pain or tenderness for a day or two afterwards. Typically, it takes a series of treatments to achieve significant and long-lasting relief. Your practitioner will decide the frequency and duration of each session according to your condition and level of pain. Learn more about dry needling on our website.
Post-surgical pain
Dry needling is a safe and effective technique for pain relief and improved muscle function. It involves the expert insertion of fine filament needles at an exact angle, speed, and depth in order to release or inactivate trigger points. In some cases, patients report immediate relief from their pain and an increase in range of motion. Others may experience mild soreness for a day or two. Research supports the use of dry needling to help manage pain, reduce muscle tension, restore biochemical and electrical dysfunction in motor end plates, and speed up rehabilitation into active recreation. This can be especially beneficial for individuals who have recently undergone surgery. During surgery, tissue is pulled and moved around in an unnatural way, leading to muscles shortening.
Pregnancy pain
Dry needling is a safe and effective therapy for treating musculoskeletal issues that may arise during pregnancy. It relies on filament needles to release trigger points – tight bands of muscle tissue. Trigger points can cause muscle tightness and spasms, leading to pain or discomfort. Dry needling can relieve these ‘trigger points’ by stimulating the body’s natural ‘twitching’ response which allows muscle fibres to loosen and relax, relieving inflammation in the area while improving blood circulation. Pelvic pain during pregnancy is a common complication caused by an expanding uterus and increased pressure on the pelvic floor muscles. It may present as heaviness, dragging or even ‘prolapse’ within the pelvic cavity. Many physiotherapists are reluctant to provide acupuncture (or dry needling) during pregnancy due to concerns of liability in case the treatment leads to spontaneous abortion or early labor.
If you are interested in trying dry needling or have any questions, feel free to contact us at Total Health & Rehab Center to schedule an appointment with our team of specialists.