Dry Needling

Dry Needling is a safe and effective technique for patients with musculoskeletal problems. Dry Needling is a treatment performed by skilled and trained physical therapists. A thin monofilament needle is inserted in the skin and treats underlying muscular trigger points for the manage and treat neuromusculoskeletal pain and mobility problems.

Conditions Dry Needling can heal-

Some of the conditions treated by Dry Needling are as follows:

• Acute and chronic injuries
• Headaches
• Neck and Back Pain
• Tendinitis
• Sciatica
• Muscle Spasms
• Hip and knee pain
• Muscle strain
• Fibromyalgia
• Elbow pain
• Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS)
• Overuse injuries

What is Dry Needling?

Dry Needling is a type of physical therapy developed by contemporary western practitioners and helps in treating muscular pain with the insertion of thin and fine (Filiform) stainless steel needles into well-defined points within the affected muscle. This precise intramuscular stimulation can be very effective during the healing process, relieves pain, and improves the range of motion without the use of drugs or medicine.
This type of therapy is effective for patients who are sensitive to pain relieving medicines or those who are suffering from constant pain despite multiple sessions of other physical therapy, rest, exercise, or surgery. Dry Needling is popular among patients suffering from the condition of chronic pain.

The Process of Dry Needling

A therapist would examine and localize a trigger point during a Dry Needling session. A trigger point is a local contracture or tight band in a muscle fiber that can disrupt function, restrict the range of motion, referred pain, or cause local tenderness. As the dry needle is applied to a dysfunctional muscle or trigger point, it can decrease banding or tightness, increase blood flow and reduce local and referred pain.

NOTE: Dry Needling and Acupuncture are not the same, although both use similar tools.

Dry Needling treats muscle tissues and aims to reduce pain, inactivate trigger points and restore function. It is not a standalone procedure but part of a broader physical therapy approach incorporating other physical therapy into the treatment plan.
Dry Needling can treat a wide range of musculoskeletal issues, like shoulder, neck, heel, hip, and back pain, and research indicates that it is safe and effective in relieving pain.

Benefits of Dry Needling

Some of the benefits of Dry Needling are listed below-

• Offers rapid pain relief- Dry Needling essentially relaxes the stiff or knotted muscle and improves blood flow. An improved blood circulation means that painful, acidic waste gets carried away as the muscles receive oxygen and nutrients it needs to heal. Some patients can experience a reduction in local and widespread pain after just one session.
• Regain your range of motion- in some cases, patients may experience limited mobility, and when they are not active, the muscles are weakened, and lose muscle mass. Dry Needling is combined with a physical therapy program to increase strength and restore range of motion. Physical therapy restrains the muscles and so helps in preventing future trigger points.
• Accelerate your recovery- Whether it is an injury or surgery, moving the body is the best way of healing and fast recovery., Physical therapy is the treatment during the recovery process. And adding dry Needling to physical therapy can really rev up the recovery process.
• Helps in dealing with chronic pain conditions- Dry Needling is the best treatment plan for chronic pain conditions- myofascial pain syndrome and fibromyalgia. Myofascial pain syndrome occurs when trigger points develop in the fascia, a sheet of connecting tissues that surround and support all muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and organs. Fibromyalgia can affect movement and lead to trigger points. Patients suffering from this condition can find significant relief from overall pain. Dry Needling and physical therapy are the best treatment For Chronic pain.