Dry Needling: A Safe and Effective Treatment for Trigger Points
Trigger points are painful knots or spasms in a muscle that develop as a result of injury, joint dysfunction, muscle imbalance or poor posture. They can also cause other symptoms, including stiffness, tingling and even involuntary muscle contractions. Trigger point dry needling, sometimes referred to simply as dry needling, is a safe and effective treatment where a thin needle is inserted into the painful area to stimulate the nerve fibers and provide relief.
There are several common misconceptions and frequently asked questions about dry needling.
Does dry needling hurt?
When many people hear the word, “needle,” they assume it will involve significant pain. But dry needling is a bit different than getting your blood drawn, or even getting a tattoo. The treatment uses very thin “filament” needles, which are placed into the trigger point:
You may feel a local twitch response, which means the treatment is working.
Some people feel that this twitching sensation is uncomfortable or describe it as a deep/dull aching sensation.
After a treatment of dry needling, you may also experience some soreness, although this typically goes away within a couple of days.
Your physical therapist will be able to educate you on expectations following your treatment, so that you know how best to prepare and manage any post-needling soreness.
Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
No. The only similarity between the two treatments is that they both use very thin filament needles. Trigger point dry needling works directly on the muscle, while acupuncture needles are used to affect the flow of energy in your body as a treatment for various conditions.
How many times do I have to receive dry needling for the treatment to work?
This will depend on your specific trigger point needs. Some people feel relief after a single treatment. However, most patients will need the treatment an average of 3-4 times. Your physical therapist will also teach you exercises to accompany the dry needling – to enhance the outcome and maximize long-term benefits from the treatment.
It’s important to note that not all physical therapists can perform dry needling. An extensive certification program with hands-on training is required. At TPTC, two of our therapists are certified in this technique. If you’re experiencing muscle pain related to a trigger point, call today for a consultation.