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Everything You Need To Know About Dry Needling

by | Mar 24, 2022 | News

Everything you need to know about dry needling

Although dry needling has become more common due to its consistent effectiveness in treating injuries, there are still many individuals with questions about dry needling.

You may have heard the term thrown around or maybe this is your first-time hearing about it.

Either way, let’s explore common questions that we at PRO Therapy get about dry needling. 

What is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is an increasingly popular treatment that continues to show great outcomes with patients suffering from a wide variety of symptoms. Dry needling is performed by utilizing a small, thin needle to penetrate the skin to improve the environment of the designated area for healing.

The designated area is determined by a trained Physical Therapist, who, through their extensive assessment, determine the placement of the needle.

The common area targeted is usually muscles but more and more research are showing the effectiveness for not only muscles but joints, tendons, ligaments, and even scars.

How Does Dry Needling Work?

When inserted into the designated tissue, the needle stimulates a change in the environment. The effects boil down to three main improvements: increasing opioids to that area, improving inflammation, and causing vasodilation.

The increase in our own body’s opioids provides a natural pain relief without the side effects you get with medication.

With improving inflammation, the needle resets our bodies inflammation response to encourage better and faster healing. Finally, vasodilation, is a term for the opening of our blood vessels to assist in blood flow to the designated tissue.

This provides healing nutrients to the tissue and relaxation to the surrounding muscles.

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Is Dry Needling the Same as Acupuncture?

Though dry needling and acupuncture use the same needles, they are not the same. Acupuncturists take a different approach with needle placement and treatment. They focus more on “chi” which is the energy flow that connects certain acupuncture points on the body to heal or correct the body.

Conversely, Physical Therapists use their physical examination and assessment to find the cause of your symptoms to guide them in their placement of needles. 

What to Expect if Dry Needling is used in your PT Session?

Your Physical Therapist will work with you to find the source of your symptoms first. Then if needling is right for you and your symptoms, the Therapist will begin with 1 or 2 needles. From there, continued assessment of your symptoms will be considered which can result in more needles the following sessions.

Some sessions may include electrical stimulation to enhance the effects of the needles.

Your therapist can also use the needles in different ways. One of those may be taking the needle and leaving it sit in the designated tissue for 5 or more minutes.

Other ways include moving the needle around the tissue or twisting the needle to increase the affected treatment area. Research shows that dry needling is most effective when combined with other treatment such as manual therapies and exercises.

Therefore, expect your therapist to incorporate that in your sessions with dry needling as well.

Does Dry Needling Hurt?

A very common question patients ask is if dry needling hurts. Though you may feel some discomfort, our patients that have received dry needling say they wouldn’t call the sensation painful.

The words described by our patients for the sensation are achy, workout pain, crampy, etc.

The discomforts felt are usually met with symptom relief afterwards and therefore, patients don’t mind the minor ache as the results are significantly better.

For What Conditions And Where Can I Expect To Be Needled?

This all will, again, be assessed by your Physical Therapist who is highly trained in not only needling but all things related to how the human body moves.

In short, any muscle, ligament, tendon, joint or scar tissue can be needled. Some of the most common conditions that benefit the most from dry needling are: headaches, TMJ (jaw issues), neck pain, shoulder impingement, tennis or golf elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, low back pain, sciatica, hip impingement, knee arthritis, plantar fasciitis, and many others.

Your therapist will work with you to decide if needling is right for you and your symptoms. 

Conclusion

With research continuing to show the significant effectiveness of dry needling when incorporated into rehabilitation, there should be no surprise that this article won’t be the last time you will hear about dry needling.

If you have further questions or concerns about dry needling, check out our other two blog posts on dry needling or give us a call at 612-767-9917 to chat with one of our Doctors of Physical Therapy, completely complimentary!

We also offer complimentary discovery visits where you can meet with a DPT in person and ask any question while one of our therapists assesses your symptoms and walks you through the process of dry needling in person. 

Dr. Kevin Spahr

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I was referred to PRO Therapy by my chiropractor. I was in desperate need of a good PT after very minimal mediocre treatment at another well known clinic. My first visit I knew my experience would be different with PRO Therapy. There was adequate time to share the history following my knee injury and I felt like I was taken seriously. Dr. Spahr formulated a plan that I was comfortable with and we were off. He made it clear that he wanted to see if we could truly heal the knee without another cortisone injection. I love that I felt included in my treatment plan and am always asked if I have questions about what we’re doing. Dr. Spahr is very good at what he does, he’s super knowledgeable for sure! He has a very good and natural ability to meet you where you’re at and moving at a pace that works for your body. My knee issues are resolving at a remarkable pace without another cortisone injection! When I started with PRO Therapy, I thought at the end of it all I would likely need another injection but that’s not the case at all. I would absolutely recommend you give PRO Therapy a try if you’re considering. I’ve referred my husband and can’t wait to see what kind of results he will have. Thanks Dr. Spahr!
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As a chiropractor, I've explored various treatments for my persistent knee pain, but Stimwave therapy at ProTherapy has been the most effective. The team was knowledgeable, professional, and made me feel comfortable throughout the process. Since starting treatment, my knee pain has improved significantly and the constant ache I was having is gone.
Suzanne D.
Would recommend and would return for future needs. Dr. Lily was a great listener and tailored her approach to my needs, reassessing each time to make sure I was progressing and my overall goals were met. I also received weekly emails with my plan and left treatment with an overall plan to sustain my improvements. If you’re having pain, soreness, lack of mobility, etc. this will help.
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I had six sessions with Kelvyn at PRO Therapy to ease the pain and lack of mobility in my neck and my right rotator cuff. I was afraid of losing even more mobility. Through exercises, stretching and massage, I gained mobility. Pain and discomfort noticeably lessened. Kelvyn is great! Highly recommended.
Ann H.
Dr. Kelvyn and Dr. Kevin are wonderful pros, and again, Doctors. They treated both my husband and I for back pain. The dry needling technique was new to us both and helped us. The exercises were very helpful, and we continue to use them. My husband really thought the Graston technique and the taping helped him a lot. I appreciated their friendly manner and their experience. They listened carefully to us and treated us accordingly. Very professional office. I recommend them.
Mariah P.
Strongly recommend pro therapy for physical therapy! I saw Dr. Kelvyn for a running injury and he was fantastic! He listened to my concerns and modified the treatment plan as I progressed. Also enjoyed the dry needling during the sessions. The whole staff at pro therapy were amazing and I enjoyed my experience there! Thanks for the amazing help!
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I had the pleasure of working with Dr Kalvin,I had tendinitis in my knee and hamstring, after 6wks of P.T my pain level went from a 10 down to a 1. He was absolutely amazing, very informative and patient with me. Thank you so much for taking care of me 💖
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I have gone to many physical therapists over the years and PRO Therapy has been one of the best. I have been here for two separate injuries. They have been able to pinpoint where my symptoms are coming from quickly, explain the issue throughly, and create an effective plan of action. My pain has decreased since coming here! It is a nice, friendly environment, with good conversation.
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