Dry Needling
Lately I've been getting a lot of referrals to my clinic specifically for dry needling. I figured it was a good opportunity to explain a little about what it is, how it works and what types of injuries might benefit from it. Here are answers to some of the most common questions I receive.
What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling involves inserting a solid monofilament needle into soft tissue to create both local and system effects. Think of it as creating a micro-trauma to the tissue. This is going to trigger your body's immune response to remodel injured tissue, decrease inflammation, improve blood flow, and reduce pain.
Is it the same as acupuncture?
Dry needling uses the same needles used in acupuncture, however we target different tissues. Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine and targets the meridians throughout your body to improve the flow of energy. Dry needling follows western medicine and targets the nerve and muscular pathways that involve the injured tissue and surrounding musculature. Both have the ability to help reduce pain and improve tissue tension.
Who would benefit from dry needling?
Almost anyone can benefit from dry needling. The most common uses include pain management, to improve mobility, reduce tissue tightness, and improve tendon health. Dry needling can be done anywhere on the body, including the neck and shoulder, low back, and lower extremities. Keep in mind that dry needling is only a part of your treatment, it is not the only treatment! You will also need to be doing exercises to maintain your mobility and strength.
What can I expect?
On your first visit receiving dry needling, you will likely only get 5-10 needles inserted while we assess your response. The needles range from .5" to 3" in length depending on the area we are working on. Unlike acupuncture, the needles do not need to stay in your body for any length of time. Dry needling is not painful; occasionally you might feel a muscle spasm or some discomfort, but that is normal and it goes away when the needle is removed. However, oftentimes you can't even tell a needle has been put in! Some people get immediate results, but I would say most people really feel the benefits later that day and into the next. It has a cumulative effect, so every session it gets better and better and the benefits last longer.
Dry needling is one of the most effective forms of treatment to create lasting results and make positive changes to your body. If you have any questions or would like more information, don't hesitate to reach out and see if dry needling could benefit you!
