Dry Needling: All of your questions answered
Dr. Hannah using electrical stimulation with dry needling to relieve shoulder pain in a golfer.
You’ve heard about it. You’ve seen it as a service we offer. But what is dry needling, actually? In this post we will answer all of your questions about dry needling.
Why is it called DRY needling?
Dry needling is the process of using a solid monofilament needle to pierce the skin, connective tissue, and muscles. In dry needling there is no injectate going into the body, unlike when you get an injection or a shot with a hollow needle that holds the fluid to be injected into your body (this would be called wet needling).
Dry simply refers to no liquid/injection!
What’s the difference between dry needling and acupuncture?
While both techniques involve a solid monofilament needle that is inserted into the body, the techniques and theories differ.
In traditional Chinese acupuncture, the aim is to move “qi'“ or energy along the body’s meridian lines.
In dry needling, the aim is towards physiologic mechanisms:
Trigger the inflammatory response to promote blood circulation for healing
Reset the neuromuscular junction (release tissue tension/activate inactive muscles)
Promote the release of the body’s natural opioids from the brain for pain relief
How will dry needling help me?
As an active individual, dry needling will help muscles that are too tight, overworked, or strained relax via a reset at the muscular and nervous system level, to provide more efficient and longer lasting pain relief than other mobility tools. This will improve your ability to activate and engage muscles for better performance.
It also can help muscles that have not been working or engaging efficiently come back "online" for better activation during your workouts and daily activities. Dry needling can also be used to "break up" scar tissue that may have developed after surgery.
It has shown to be highly beneficial for relieving symptoms for clients in our practice who come to us with these specific conditions:
Headaches and migraines
Arthritic joint pain (especially the knees, hips, neck, back, and hands)
Rotator Cuff Injury
Muscle strains from physical activity and injury
Sciatica
Plantar Fasciitis
Achilles Tendinitis
Sinus pressure and congestion
Temporal Mandibular Joint (TMJ) Pain and Dysfunction (jaw pain and locking)
Eliminates the need for corticosteroid injections (i.e. low back, knees, etc.)
Delays or prevents surgical intervention for total joint replacement
When combined with our holistic physical therapy methodology, dry needling has helped many of our clients eliminate pain and then prevent future issues with regular maintenance sessions on an individualized schedule.
For testimonials on how dry needling has helped others - please follow us on social media!
Dry needling was a large part of this change from beginning to end of session - improved neck and shoulder mobility, eliminated a “locked up” neck and shoulder, significant decrease in pain, clear improvement in posture.
Is dry needling dangerous?
Dry needling is a safe and sterile procedure with minimal risks. Our doctors of physical therapy (DPT) are certified to provide this technique after taking at least one extensive continuing education course that totals at least 26 hours of practice before utilizing it on clients. Let’s not forget that DPTs are trained to be the experts in the musculoskeletal system and are trained extensively in human anatomy, thus making the risk of injury from dry needling done by a Doctor of Physical Therapy extremely low.
Does it hurt?!
The sensation experienced during dry needling can vary from person to person, but some people may experience mild discomfort or ache at the site of needle insertion. However, the needles used in dry needling are very thin and flexible, and the discomfort is usually brief and mild. Most people tolerate dry needling very well and do not report significant pain. Our clients always report that the benefits outweigh any discomfort.
During the session, we may manipulate the needles slightly or add electrical stimulation to enhance the treatment, which can cause a sensation of pressure or a muscle twitch. This is normal and typically does not cause significant discomfort.
After the session, it is common to experience some soreness or mild bruising at the needle insertion sites. This is temporary and should subside within 24 hours. Your response to your session will let us know how to proceed for your particular needs in following sessions.
It is important to communicate with us during the session if you experience significant pain or discomfort, as we can adjust the technique or needle placement to minimize discomfort. Overall, dry needling is generally well-tolerated and most people do not report significant pain or discomfort during or after the session.
You should not receive dry needling if:
You have had surgery (in the area you'd like needled) in the past 12 weeks. (For example: We can dry needle the legs if you've had shoulder surgery in the past 12 weeks, or vice versa).
You have had a recent seizure.
You have chronic, severe lymphedema in the limb to be needled.
You have a severe phobia of needles.
You should ask for more information or let your DPT know about the following before receiving dry needling:
You are pregnant or there is a possibility that you may be pregnant.
Allergies to metals
Pacemakers
Bleeding disorders or blood thinning medications
Weakened immune system or autoimmune disorders
Skin infections or open wounds
