Dry needling helps with all kinds of muscular pain and injuries. It is usually a part of a broader physical therapy treatment for patients who are suffering from myofascial (muscle) pain.
Many of those who have incorporated dry needling into their treatment plan have cited amazing benefits. Nonetheless, it is still a good idea to be aware of any side effects and potential risks of this minimally invasive pain-relief treatment.
How Dry Needling Works
Dry needling targets your trigger points, or knotted muscles, in order to prompt them to contract and then relax – because the muscle tightness is what is causing the pain. These trigger points can develop in the muscle as a result of overuse, lack of use, or trauma to the tissue. Pressing down on a trigger point with your finger can be extremely uncomfortable, because these are highly sensitive spots on the muscle tissues.
The treatment helps to loosen tight muscles, ease joint pain, and improve blood flow to the affected area. By inserting the hair-thin needle into the muscle membrane, your body will respond to the stimulation with a twitch response, which demonstrates a release of the trigger point.
Inserting the needle is believed to interrupt pain signals. After the needle is removed, the process will be repeated in other trigger points as needed.
Dry needling is sometimes confused with acupuncture, but there are several key differences. Acupuncture utilizes needles that remain in the skin for a short while, whereas dry needling usually involves the needle being removed practically right away. Also, the approach is a bit different, with acupuncture being associated with how energy flows through the body, whereas dry needling is meant to simply release pressure and pain in the muscles.
Are There Any Adverse Effects?
Dry needling is considered to be a safe, mechanical method whereby the needle is manually manipulated without any medication. The minor side effects which may occur include temporary soreness or discomfort. This is caused by the twitch response, which is reported to be minor as compared to the pain that was caused by the trigger point.
Not everyone is a candidate for dry needling. Pregnant women, people who have a fear of needles, and patients who have compromised immune systems or skin conditions should consider an alternative treatment for their myofascial pain.
Any patient who is interested in dry needling therapy should consult their doctor first. Any side effects from the treatment should be reported to your physical therapist or your physician.
Dry Needling in Austin, Texas
Dry needling is often used to complement other physical therapy techniques and is rarely a standalone treatment. In sports medicine, dry needling is also referred to as trigger point dry needling, intramuscular manual therapy (IMT), or intramuscular stimulation. Practitioners with proper training and certification know which areas of the body to avoid, such as over the lungs or other organs that can be punctured by going too deep.
If you are considering dry needle therapy, we are ready to answer your questions. Here at Endeavor Physical Therapy & Wellness, our physical therapists promote healing and recovery from a wide range of injuries and conditions, including chronic muscle pain.
To make an appointment, please call our friendly staff today at (512) 284-7192 or fill out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to being your therapy partner in your quest toward total wellness!
