What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a therapeutic treatment performed by physical therapists, chiropractors, physiatrists and acupuncturists. It involves inserting tiny monofilament needles into trigger points in the body's muscles and connective tissues to relieve pain and improve mobility.
Goals of Dry Needling Treatment
Dry needling aims to:
- Release tight muscle knots and relieve spasms
- Improve blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues
- Stimulate healing of chronic soft tissue injuries
- Deactivate trigger points causing referred pain
The needles used for dry needling are very fine, solid and do not inject any fluids like medication. The technique relies primarily on the mechanical effect of needle insertion into dysfunctional areas rather than injection therapy.
Does Dry Needling Hurt?
Can Be Temporarily Painful
Dry needling can cause varying levels of discomfort and pain during treatment. This is because the needles specifically target trigger points - highly irritable spots of muscle tightness and tenderness.
Inserting needles into these sensitive dysfunctional areas often reproduces symptoms of muscle tightness and aching. Patients commonly describe the pain as a cramping, pinching, stinging or dull ache around the needle.
Pain Level Varies
The intensity level of pain and soreness depends on:
- Individual pain tolerance
- How easily the muscle flinches or spasms
- Number of needles used and depth inserted
- Where on the body treatment is focused
Certain areas like the neck, shoulders and low back tend to be more sensitive. Everyone has a different needle pain threshold as well.
Discomfort Usually Temporary
The pain and soreness experienced during and right after dry needling is often temporary. As the muscle releases and the trigger point is deactivated, this irritation generally diminishes quickly. A muscle twitch response when the needle goes in is very common.
However a mild dull ache or soreness may linger for 24 to 72 hours following treatment. This is comparable to how the body feels after an intense workout indicating the muscle tissue has been stimulated to heal.
Techniques to Minimize Needling Discomfort
Skilled practitioners use various techniques to limit pain and make the dry needling experience as comfortable as possible.
Precise Needle Insertion
Careful, shallow and slow needle insertion using the least needles necessary prevents added discomfort. Quickly thrusting the needles deeply into tense tissues accentuates pain.
Soothing Touch
Gently stabilizing the muscle groups around the trigger points helps relaxation. Light massage and finger pressure on the needling sites can also help calm twitch reflexes.
Communication & Feedback
Checking in with patients about their pain levels allows proper needle adjustment. Descriptive words like aching, dull, tight help guide treatment intensity. Breathing techniques further promote relaxation.
Appropriate Needle Size
The width of the needle chosen and time left inserted depends on the treatment area. Thinner needles cause less initial discomfort but may not sufficiently reach deeper tissues. Leaving needles in situ longer allows improved therapeutic effect.
Use of Heat/Cold Therapy
Applying heating pads or ice packs before and after dry needling sessions helps manage residual soreness in the treated areas.
What to Expect After Treatment
Immediate Post-Needling Sensations
It is very common to feel temporary soreness, muscle cramping, heaviness or achiness in the needled areas immediately after dry needling treatment. A radiating symptom pattern from the site is often noted as the trigger points release built up tension.
Visible signs like minor bleeding, redness or bruising around the needle sites may also emerge but resolve quickly. Use ice packs as necessary to minimize inflammation.
Day After Muscle Soreness
Expect moderate post-treatment muscle soreness similar to overdoing a workout for 24 to 72 hours after more intensive dry needling sessions. This is a sign tissues have been activated to heal.
Use over-the-counter pain relievers if significant discomfort remains. Apply heat packs to boost blood flow which accelerates the muscle recovery process.
Improved Range of Motion
As muscles release spasms and soft tissues regain flexibility, noticeably improved range of motion is common where dry needling was performed. Bodies feel looser, movement flows easier and many patients report significantly less pain.
However surrounding muscle groups often tighten to compensate when dominant muscles are first released. So stiffness may temporarily shift to different areas as postural alignment changes.
Is Dry Needling Worth the Pain?
For many chronic pain patients, significantly decreasing their uncomfortable daily symptoms is well worth some needling discomfort. Dry needling can be a highly effective treatment for:
- Tension headaches
- Jaw pain
- Neck and shoulder tension
- Upper and mid-back pain
- Low back and sciatica symptoms
- Elbow, wrist or hand pain like carpal tunnel
- Repetitive hip, knee or ankle strain
The needle sensation itself may be uncomfortable and briefly painful. But the muscle release and corrected joint mechanics patients experience after dry needling treatments brings extensive pain relief between sessions.
Non-Invasive nature
The lack of drugs or surgery with dry needling appeals to many seeking holistic pain management. The technique stimulates the bodys natural healing abilities without invasive procedures or medication side effects.
And no pain medications ultimately suppress optimal nervous system functioning. Being able to reduce aches and pains while staying fully engaged and mentally sharp is extremely appealing to chronic pain sufferers who have tried other failed interventions.
Prompt, Effective Results
It often takes just a few dry needling treatments to achieve significant alleviation of long term chronic tension and nagging injury residuals. Patients get fast relief allowing return to normal activities without pain or stiffness.
The powerful and precise nature of dry needling restores abilities to exercise, lift, concentrate and fully participate in life often only after some slight needling discomfort. But the progress achieved makes that short term pain worthwhile for many.
Learning proper self-care like stretching and ergonomics allows patients to continue maximizing progress long term. By retraining muscles to remain relaxed through improved postural habits, dry needling corrects core dysfunction rather than just temporarily easing symptoms.
Seeking a Specialist
Always consult a thoroughly trained myofascial dry needling practitioner when considering this therapeutic modality. Ensure they are licensed physical therapists, chiropractors or physicians with expertise using dry needling specifically for reputable orthopedic, neurological and pain management treatment.
Ask questions about their background with the technique, number of years practicing dry needling and any specialty certifications earned. Understanding their clinical approach and experience helps identify the right provider for your condition and needling comfort preferences.
A skilled dry needling practitioner compassionately minimizes needling pain while achieving optimal therapeutic response. Work together to determine appropriate needling intensity and post-treatment self care for your situation. Though the needle pricks can pinch, most patients find the lasting benefits of dry needling makes that short term discomfort worthwhile.
FAQs
Why does dry needling cause pain?
Dry needling deliberately targets trigger points - highly irritable tightened muscle fibers that refer pain patterns. Inserting needles into these tense dysfunctional spots often reproduces painful cramping sensations until the muscle releases.
What techniques make dry needling more comfortable?
Slow, careful needle insertion, relaxation methods during treatment, appropriate needle size selection, post-session heat/cold therapy and an experienced practitioner all help minimize needling pain.
How long does dry needling soreness last?
Needling pain is often temporary during treatment, but residual soreness comparable to post-workout muscle aches can last 24-72 hours depending on the intensity of the session.
What are signs dry needling is working?
Signs of therapeutic response include muscle twitching during needling, temporary reproductions of pain patterns, post-treatment muscle soreness and increased range of motion as the muscles release.
Does dry needling fix pain long term?
Dry needling can bring long lasting pain relief by resetting dysfunctional muscle and fascia trigger points and training patients in proper self-care techniques between sessions.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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