Dry Needling

Dry needling is a treatment that healthcare providers use for pain and movement issues associated with myofascial trigger points. With this technique, a provider inserts thin needles into or near your trigger points. The needles stimulate your muscles, which causes them to contract or twitch. This helps relieve pain and improve your range of motion.

How does dry needling work?

When your muscle is overused, it goes into an energy crisis where the muscle fibers aren’t getting an adequate blood supply. When they don’t get the normal blood supply, they don’t get the oxygen and nutrients that allow your muscle to go back to its normal resting state.

When this happens, the tissue near your trigger point becomes more acidic. Your nerves are sensitized, which makes the area sore and painful.

Stimulating a trigger point with a needle helps draw normal blood supply back to flush out the area and release tension. The prick sensation can also fire off nerve fibers that stimulate your brain to release endorphins, your body’s homemade pain medication.

Once your doctor locates a trigger point, they’ll insert a needle through your skin directly into it. They might move the needle around a little to try to get what’s called a local twitch response — a quick spasm of your muscle. This reaction can be a good sign that your muscle is reacting.

Some people feel improvement in their pain and mobility almost immediately after a dry needling session. For others, it takes more than one session.

What does dry needling do?

Dry needling may help relieve pain and increase your range of motion. Conditions that dry needling may treat include:

• Joint issues.

• Disk issues.

• Tendonitis

• Migraine and tension headaches

• Jaw and mouth problems, such as TMJ

• Whiplash

• Repetitive motion disorders, such as Carpal Tunnel

• Spinal issues.

Who shouldn’t get dry needling treatments?

There are certain groups of people who shouldn’t receive dry needling. Providers don’t recommend the procedure for children under the age of 12 because it can be painful. You and your child will both need to provide consent, and you should consider other less invasive options first. Other groups who should consult with their physician before receiving dry needling include people who:

• are pregnant.

• Aren’t able to understand the treatment.

• Are very afraid of needles.

• Have compromised immune systems

• Have just had surgery.

• Are on blood thinners