What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is one of the many treatments we offer in our physical therapy clinic here at Warner Orthopedics & Wellness. It is an effective way to release tension in muscles for the treatment of pain and improvement of mobility issues. Dry needling promotes targeted increases in blood flow and stimulates local healing.
Dry needling is called “dry” because the needle used isn’t giving an injection – it’s just a thin needle inserted into specific muscle groups to release tension, perform deep massage and promote healing. It’s also called “trigger point dry needling” and “intramuscular manual therapy.”
Dry needling isn’t the same thing as acupuncture – it’s based on targeting muscle groups, not diverting or releasing “energy” in the body.
How Does Dry Needling Work?
The focus of dry needling may center on targeting trigger points. A “trigger point” is a taut band of skeletal muscle located within a larger muscle group that is often tender to the touch.
This dysfunctional muscle group causes pain and causes surrounding muscles and fascia to become dysfunctional too. Touching a trigger point may spark pain in other parts of the body, limit movement, and more.
This technique helps physical therapists target tissues under the skin that they may not be able to manually shift and engage with targeted stretches and pressure exercises.
When you undergo a dry needling procedure, your physical therapist wears personal protective equipment (PPE) and uses fresh, sterilized filiform needles. Your physical therapist will palpate the problem area that needs to be addressed in that session to find the myofascial trigger point to target.
After discerning where to place the needle, they will push the needle through the skin into the trigger point. Because the needle is very thin, this is usually not painful – you typically will only feel a small pinch.
When you undergo a dry needling procedure, your physical therapist wears personal protective equipment (PPE) and uses fresh, sterilized filiform needles.
Your physical therapist will palpate the problem area that needs to be addressed in that session to find the myofascial trigger point to target.
After discerning where to place the needle, they will push the needle through the skin into the trigger point. Because the needle is very thin, this is usually not painful – you typically will only feel a small pinch.
Dry Needling At Warner Orthopedics & Wellness
Physical therapists who perform dry needling procedures have undergone specific postgraduate education and training. Our physical therapy team is expertly trained to offer you this option for natural pain relief and mobility support.
We have found that our therapists are able to prevent surgery for many patients with this technique.
When we use dry needling in physical therapy, it’s generally one technique that’s part of a larger treatment plan that can involve exercises, therapeutic stretching, bracing and orthotics, and more.
If you are curious about what dry needling can do for you, click below to make your appointment today!
