Why Dry Needling Physical Therapy Could Help Relieve Your Chronic Pain

Understanding Dry Needling and Its Benefits

Dry needling refers to a treatment technique involving a solid filament needle that pierces the skin and stimulates underlying myofascial trigger points, muscular knots, or connective tissues for the management of pain and movement impairments. This technique is used to treat several neuromusculoskeletal conditions such as back pain, neck pain, knee pain, shoulder impingement, headaches, and plantar fasciitis. Dry needling helps relieve pain and improve mobility by releasing endorphins, promoting blood flow, and deactivating trigger points in the body.

Why Dry Needling Might Be Right for You

Dry needling provides targeted pain relief by directly addressing tight knots and trigger points in the muscles and connective tissues. The rapid needle insertion causes a localized twitch response in the trigger points being treated, releasing built up tension in the tissues. Many patients describe dry needling as an intensely painful but extremely effective technique.

If you are suffering from chronic or recurring pain that has not improved with other conservative treatments like massage, heat, or stretching, dry needling may be a good option. Common conditions treated successfully with dry needling include:

• Chronic neck, shoulder, or back pain
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Tendonitis or bursitis
• Tension headaches
• Post-surgical pain near scars

What to Expect During Dry Needling Treatments

During your first dry needling session, your physical therapist will take a medical history and assess where you are experiencing pain or movement dysfunction. They will palpate the area to identify tight, knotted muscles and trigger points to target with the needles.

When performing dry needling, your therapist will insert a thin monofilament needle directly into the trigger points. Depending on the location, depth, and sensitivity of tissues, this may range from mildly to extremely painful as the needle activates the trigger points. Many patients describe the sensation as muscle cramps, aches, soreness, or bruising that subsides after treatment. Significant pain only lasts while the needle penetrates and stimulates the tissues.

Therapeutic Benefits of Post-Procedure Soreness

It is normal to experience muscle soreness or aching for 24-48 hours after dry needling similar to post-workout muscle soreness. This indicates a physiological healing response as your body flushes out inflammation, toxins, and scar tissues. Light activity can help ease stiffness while allowing tissues to continue to heal.

Over the next few days pain and tension in the treated areas should gradually decrease as muscles relax and loosen. Your physical therapist will design an individualized rehabilitation program including restorative stretches and exercises to help strengthen and re-train the muscles. Although dry needling helps release myofascial trigger points, you must address muscle imbalances through exercise and postural correction to maintain pain relief long-term.

What to Look for in a Dry Needling Provider

Make sure any provider performing dry needling is specifically trained in trigger point dry needling. Look for a physical therapist that provides an initial evaluation to assess medical history, muscle tightness, trigger points, and range of motion prior to treatment. An experienced dry needling physical therapist should communicate thoroughly about the technique, targets areas effectively, and supports aftercare with appropriate stretching and strengthening.

Qualifications to Seek in Dry Needling Therapists

Only choose physical therapists that have earned dry needling certification, demonstrating specialized instruction in safe needling techniques. Certification programs teach anatomy, indications and contraindications, proper hygiene protocols, management of adverse reactions, and ethical standards. Therapists must complete supervised needling of live patients showing proficiency in a variety of upper and lower extremity muscles.

The American Physical Therapy Association supports advanced dry needling education for properly trained physical therapists. However, certification requirements can vary by state and not all states allow physical therapists to perform dry needling. Make sure your provider meets the qualifications and regulations for your jurisdiction.

Questions to Ask Prospective Physical Therapists

When looking for a dry needling specialist, consider asking the following questions during an initial phone or in-person consultation:

• What specific training have you received in trigger point dry needling?
• Do you have a certification in dry needling physical therapy from a recognized organization?
• How many years have you performed dry needling treatments?
• What conditions and areas of the body do you commonly treat with dry needling?
• What can I expect during and after dry needling treatment sessions?
• How many sessions will I need before I can expect to experience results?

The more skilled and experienced the practitioner, the better your dry needling outcomes will likely be. Many patients experience noticeable pain relief and improved range of motion after just 1-3 needling sessions.

Finding Dry Needling Clinics Convenient to You

Look for physical therapist owned clinics specializing in dry needling near your home or workplace. Community and hospital based outpatient physical therapy centers may also offer dry needling services with a certified practitioner on staff. The website for a physical therapy provider should clearly state if they offer dry needling and provide credentials of therapists that perform these specialized trigger point treatments.

Insurance Coverage for Dry Needling Treatment

Since dry needling is provided by licensed physical therapists, sessions are often covered by major medical insurance plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, and United Healthcare. However, insurance policies can differ in terms of deductible costs, visit limits, pre-authorization requirements, covered diagnoses, and in-network providers.

Contact your health insurance provider to find out if dry needling physical therapy is covered under your specific plan. If covered, ask for a list of preferred providers in your geographical area to maximize your insurance benefits.

Out-of-Pocket Costs

For patients without insurance benefits covering dry needling or for therapies beyond insurance limits, average out-of-pocket costs range from $80-$150 per session. Some clinics offer package discounts if you purchase multiple dry needling treatments upfront.

Consider whether the pain relief and improved mobility you experience from dry needling is worth the cost. For chronic conditions causing significant dysfunction and disability, the investment can certainly pay dividends in terms of productivity and quality of life.

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.