Dry needling is one of the most popular treatments that we have to offer at all our clinics. Patients that are afraid of needles or are hesitant, are believers by the end of their sessions. So… what is it exactly?
Dry needling is a therapeutic technique in which small, sterile, filament needle is inserted into the skin and muscles to relieve pain.
You’re probably still wondering how does it actually relieve the pain?
There are different techniques a therapist can use, but a lot of the treatment depends on the area that is being treated and the type of pain you are experiencing. Your therapist will insert the needle into the painful area, and if those muscles are tight, you will feel a slight pinching sensation. Then, your therapist will stimulate those muscles either my moving them with their fingers or a small electrical unit (similar to a TENS unit). There can be some pain or discomfort, but the intent is to loosen the muscles in the affected area. That initial discomfort is typically during treatment and immediately after, plus will help with the more long-term pain you came in for! Just a few conditions that respond well to dry needling are neck pain, low back pain, headache, sciatica, tendonitis, TMJ, and more.
We get asked if this treatment is like acupuncture because the needles are the same, but the similarities pretty much stop there. Acupuncture is a more holistic approach based off eastern medicine, while dry needling uses strong evidence and research that comes from western medicine.
If you’re still hesitant, here are a few words from one of our patients:
“Dry needling is a complete game changer for me! With enough visits, I feel amazing- I can chew and talk for long periods of time without pain.Physical therapy is one of the very few things that help my TMJ problem.”
If you ever have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team and schedule a free consultation!
