What Is Dry Needling?
Dry Needling is a highly effective physical therapy treatment that involves inserting a very fine filament needle through the skin, into the muscles, and the surrounding tissue. It is a highly effective treatment for a multitude of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
A small needle is placed into the targeted problematic tissue. By doing this, the goal is to normalize the physiology of the tissue and restore homeostatisis. In other words, it aims to return tender, painful, inflammed, or irritated tissue back to an optimal, nonpainful, and stable state.
Dry needling works by causing a micro lesion within the pathological tissue. This micro lesion results in several healing responses within the tissue. In scientific terms, it ultimately breaks up shortened tissues, inhibits a reflex arc from the nervous system, normalizes the inflammatory response, and centrally mediates the pain. In simpler terms, inserting a small filament needle into muscle or tissue in a safe, targeted manner creates microtrauma to that tissue. The microtrauma sets off a chain of pain-inhibiting and healing responses within your body. The mechanical and neuromuscular effects created by the needle insertion enhance the body’s ability to reduce inflammation, stop a pain spasm cycle, and heal. It ultimately reduces pain and restores function in an efficient, timely manner.
IS IT THE SAME AS ACUPUNCTURE?
No. Although the needles used in dry needling are often the same, the two treatment approaches are very different. Dry needling is based on neuro-anatomy and modern scientific study of the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. Its goal, as explained above, is to target specific muscles, or nerve pathways, in order to restore tissue homeostatis. In contrast, Acupuncture is not based on modern science but on ancient Chinese medicine. Acupuncture is performed with the goal of targeting specific points along meridians (energy highways) in order to balance your chi (or life force).
DOES IT HURT?
The fine filament needle is very thin, solid, and flexible. This allows for the needle to be pushed through the skin versus cutting the skin. As a result, the actual needle insertion is virtually painless, minus an occasional sensation of a very brief pin prick. Once the needle is inserted, some discomfort is expected it enters trigger points or tight muscles. Once the needle is in the targeted muscle, the therapist seeks to elicit a local twitch response. While this is occurring, you may feel a deep ache or cramp. This ache/cramp is usually short lasting and subsides as the tissue releases. In some instances, you may experience muscle soreness (similar to post workout soreness) afterwards. Alternatively, and in many instances, you feel immediately looser and less painful. All of these sensations are perfectly normal and are even considered desirable responses.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET RESULTS?
While you typically feel some immediate relief, you commonly experience a gradual improvement in symptoms over the following 1-2 days. You do typically notice results after one session. How long these results last depends upon the condition being treated, chronicity, and a multitude of other variables. The total number of sessions needed for lasting results also depends on a variety of factors (such as your overall health and the condition being treated). With that said, the average for full symptom resolution is four to six treatments.
In rare circumstances, dry needling can be used in isolation as a treatment. In most cases, however, your therapist will need to use complimentary treatment strategies (such as joint mobilizations/ manipulations, stretching, strengthening and a home exercise program) to achieve the best and most permanent results.
WHAT CONDITIONS CAN IT BE USED TO TREAT?
Regardless of age, dry needling can be an effective way to improve flexibility, reduce pain and restore function. If you are feeling sore, “tight” or restricted anywhere, you will likely benefit from dry needling. With that said, it is not appropriate for all conditions or pathologies. The use of the technique will be at the discretion of your physical therapist.
Common conditions treated include, but are not limited to neck, back, SI joint, and shoulder pain; bursitis, arm pain (tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, golfer’s elbow), certain types of headaches, jaw pain, buttock pain, leg pain (sciatica, hip pain, hamstrings strains, knee pain, IT band pain, calf tightness/spasms) and plantar fasciitis.