Dry needling is a technique that physical therapists use to treat pain and movement impairments. This technique uses a “dry”needle (meaning no medication or injection), which is inserted through the skin into specific areas of the muscle. Dry needling is often part of a larger physical therapy program.
What Does Dry Needling Do?
Trigger point dry needling is a highly-effective way to quickly “deactivate” knots and help muscles relax so they can work properly. From a technical standpoint, a needle is inserted at a myofascial trigger point. This elicits a twitch response, which helps to relax the shortened muscle and allows the natural healing process to begin.
Basically, once one or more muscle knots are identified as symptomatic by one of our doctors, a very thin needle will be placed inside the belly of those muscles. The needle helps get rid of the inflammation inside the muscles and allows fresh blood to come directly to the injury site to immediately start the healing process. This in turn decreases pain and allows the muscles to relax, which improves your mobility and gets you back to enjoying the activities you love.
What Are Trigger Points?
A trigger point is a taut band of skeletal muscle located within a larger muscle group. This is what’s actually happening when you feel a “knot” in your muscle. Trigger points can be tender when touched or stretched. Touching a trigger point may also cause pain in other parts of the body.
Dry Needling Benefits
Dry needling provides relief for muscular pain and stiffness. Easing the trigger points may also improve your flexibility and increase range of motion. That’s why our doctors often recommend this method to treat sports injuries, muscle pain, and even fibromyalgia pain.
Who Does Dry Needling Work For?
Athletes
Keeping fit is important to you, but when you have painful or tight muscles, your regular activity can come to a grinding halt. Crossfitters, runners, hikers, bikers, swimmers, tennis players — anyone who is active can get painful knots or tight muscles. Missing a week at the gym or the trail, nursing a sore muscle, doesn’t have to be your reality.
iAM Physical Therapy can get you back to your fitness activities quickly, without drugs, injections or surgery.
Busy Professionals
Sitting at your desk, hunched over a computer can wreak havoc on your neck and back — not to mention the headaches that come along with it. We aren’t going to tell you that you should be aware of your posture and try standing more (okay, maybe we will). But we can also help you stay relaxed and loose.
We know you have a job to do and a family to provide for. A quick dry needling session can get rid of your recurring headaches and that annoying back pain.
People On The Go
It’s amazing what stress can do to your muscles. When we get busy, our stress levels shoot through the roof and we “tense up.” Dry needling works well for anyone experiencing stress. Moms or Dads chasing after busy toddlers, suppliers prepping for their next Buyer meeting, jet setters cramped in plane seats, college students cramming for finals.
Not only is dry needling an effective way to keep you loose and relaxed, it only takes about 20 minutes and you are back to your life!
Does Dry Needling Hurt?
The biggest question new patients tend to have is: Does it hurt?
Because the needles we use for this therapy do not contain medication, we are able to use very thin needles. They are actually 8X smaller than needles you would be used to seeing at a medical doctor for vaccines. While some areas may be more tender than others, dry needling is typically not painful — and certainly does not cause more pain than your current symptoms.
”The most important quality in a physical therapist is their knowledge of how to heal the body. Dr. Christian, Dr. Kyle and Dr. Kara are experts in their field and persistent in working with their clients to gain mobility and strength. The entire staff is personable and supportive. If you have been referred or need to see your doctor about a referral, iAM Physical Therapy is the place to attain your goals.
Stephanie S.