Dry needling is a technique physical therapists use to treat muscle pain and headaches. The technique uses a “dry” needle, one without medication or injection, inserted through the skin into areas of the muscle, known as trigger points. Dry needling is not acupuncture, a practice based on traditional Chinese medicine and performed by acupuncturists. Dry needling is a part of modern Western medicine principles, and it’s effectiveness is supported by research.
What is a Trigger Point?
A trigger point is a taut band of skeletal muscle located within a larger muscle group. Trigger points can be tender to the touch, and touching a trigger point may cause pain to other parts of the body.
What Kind of Needles Are Used?
Dry needling involves a thin needle that penetrates the skin and stimulates underlying muscle pain trigger points and muscular and connective tissues. The needle allows a physical therapist to target tissues that are not accessible through manual therapy.
Physical therapists wear gloves and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when dry needling, consistent with Standard Precautions, Guide to Infection Prevention for Outpatient Settings, and OSHA standards.
Why Dry Needling?
In cases when dry needling is used by physical therapists, it is typically one technique that’s part of a larger treatment plan. Physical therapists use dry needling with the goal of releasing or inactivating trigger points to relieve pain or improve range of motion. Preliminary research supports that dry needling improves pain control, reduces muscle tension, and normalizes dysfunctions of the motor end plates, (the sites at which nerve impulses are transmitted to muscles). This can help speed up the patient’s return to active rehabilitation.
Physical therapists are well educated in anatomy and therapeutic treatment of the body. Physical therapists who perform dry needling supplement that knowledge by obtaining specific postgraduate education and training.
Currently, 21st Century Rehab has multiple therapists at each location that specialize in dry needling. If you would like to talk to a therapist about how dry needling could help relieve your pain and headaches, contact your nearest location on our locations page