What is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a technique physical therapists use to treat pain and movement impairments. The physical therapist inserts a "dry" needle, one without medication or injection, into the areas of the muscle where there are painful trigger points. These thin filiform needles are the same kind used in acupuncture. However, dry needling and acupuncture are different techniques and have different philosophies. Dry needling is a part of modern Western medicine and targets muscle dysfunction. Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine which focuses on relieving pain by balancing the flow of energy in the body.

What are trigger points?

Muscles are made up of bundles of long muscle fibers and a trigger point is a taut band within the bundle (areas palpable as tender nodules). An active trigger point is very tender to touch but also causes pain at rest or with activity. It may also refer pain to other areas of the body.

How does Dry Needling Work? 

When the needle penetrates the nodules in a muscle it elicits a twitch response, indicating a release or deactivation of the painful trigger point. 

Study findings show that this release can normalize dysfunctions of the motor end plates, from which nerve impulses get transmitted to muscles. At the cellular level, the muscle’s physiology changes to better absorb calcium, improve circulation, encourage tissue remodeling, and promote healing. This process can be compared to re-booting the hard drive on a computer.

Individuals who achieve good results with massage, but are disappointed when the discomfort returns, will find dry needling a better way to achieve longer lasting and deeper relief. Dry needling allows the physical therapist to treat almost any muscle in the body and to treat the muscle at depths difficult to reach with other techniques. While very effective, dry needling is only a part of a larger treatment plan to prevent the return of painful trigger points by restoring mobility and healthy movement patterns.

How Many Sessions Will I Need?

It is best to start slowly during the first session to give you a feel for the technique. The first session will use only a few needles in one or two muscles that are key to your problems. These key areas usually give the most dramatic relief. Subsequent treatments will target more specific areas to fine-tune the effect as well as nearby muscles that may be contributing to the pain. Electrical Stimulation can also be used with the needles to cause rhythmic, non-painful contractions to “re-train” the muscles and restore muscle function. Sessions are usually spaced 4-7 days apart and you should expect to feel a marked difference after only 1-3 sessions. 

What Does Dry Needling Feel Like?

The initial feeling of the needle entering through the skin is very minimal, much less than a vaccination. Once the needle reaches the trigger point in the muscle, a strong but brief twitch sensation will be felt.

How Will I Feel After Dry Needling? 

Many individuals feel some improvement immediately after the session, but there will also be soreness in a similar way that would be felt after a heavy work out. The muscle may feel fatigued, and the soreness can last from a few hours to 1 or 2 days. However, just like post-workout soreness, your symptoms should not interfere with your everyday activities. In fact, you are encouraged to be active during this time to speed recovery. After this soreness resolves, you should experience a reduction in pain and tightness, and the muscle will be stronger because it can function more normally.