What is Dry Needling
Dry Needling is a skilled intervention performed by a health care professional, in this case, a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant. This professional uses a fine filiform needle to penetrate the skin, creating a healing response in the tissue that has been affected.
The types of tissues contributing to neuromuscular and/or skeletal dysfunction that can be dry needled include: muscle, fascia, tendon, capsule, ligament. Stimulation of nerves can also occur, modulating the way pain is perceived.
Benefits of Dry Needling
- Helps decrease pain by targeting the source of muscular dysfunction.
- Decreases joint and muscle pain.
- Reduces muscle stiffness/tightness and releases trigger points to improve comfort and mobility
- Improves range of motion and flexibility for better overall movement
- Enhances blood flow to injured or irritated tissues, supporting the healing process
- Assists in reducing inflammation and muscle soreness
- Promotes faster recovery from acute and chronic conditions
- Complements other physical therapy treatments for more effective outcomes
- May help reduce reliance on pain medications
Commonly Treated Diagnoses
- Low Back Pain – Dorsalgia, Sciatica
- Neck Pain – Cervicalgia
- Sports Injuries
- Knee Arthritis
- Tennis Elbow – Lateral Epicondylitis
- Golfers Elbow – Medial Epicondylitis
- Headaches
- TMJ
- ITB Syndrome
- Piriformis Syndrome
- Shoulder Impingment
- Plantar Fasciitis
Cost of Dry Needling
If dry needling is performed in conjunction with physical therapy at ORS, the cost is $25 per session. If the only service that is being performed is dry needling, the cost is $40 per session.
What to Expect at Your Treatment Session:
Typically, Dry Needling can be performed the same day of your normal physical therapy session.
No special preparation needs to be done prior to Dry Needling.
Wear comfortable loose fitting clothing – shorts or tank top may be suggested depending on the treatment area.
The therapist will have you review and sign a consent form for treatment and will educate you on the procedure.
Treatment is approximately 10-30 minutes depending on the treatment area.
FAQ
A: Dry Needling is relatively painless.
A: No restrictions following treatment. You can ice if needed for soreness and we recommend you drink plenty of water, but there are no special considerations for aftercare following treatment.
A: No special preparation needs to be done prior to dry needling. Wear comfortable loose fitting clothing; shorts or a tank top may be suggested depending on the treatment area.
A: Most common side effects are soreness, bruising, potential for light bleeding. The most common sensation is a small prick when the needle inserts the skin and slight achiness within the muscle that is being needled.
A: All potential precautions and contraindications should be discussed with your physical therapist, however, some common include those below:
Precautions for Dry Needling:
- Smoking/tobacco use
- Emphysema
- Diabetes type I
- Immune compromised
- Thin/frail skin
- Taking blood thinners-Warfarin/Coumadin etc.
- Varicose veins
- Low blood pressure (</=100/70)
- Pregnancy
Contraindications for Dry Needling:
- Active infection or bleeding (or open wounds) at the site of treatment
- Acute medical condition receiving treatment (ex. cancer)
- Metal/nickel allergies/li>
- Blood clotting disorders or anticoagulant therapy
- Active lymphedema-may cause cellulitis
- Not recommended for children <12 y/o
- Needle phobia – fear of needles○
A: The procedure is called “Dry Needling” because the needles themself are solid filament needles where nothing gets injected.
A: Dry Needling is NOT the same as Acupuncture. Although during Dry Needling we use Acupuncture style needles and the procedure technique itself is similar, the application and treatment areas are different.
- Dry Needling – based on modern Western medicine to release muscle tension and pain by generating a twitch response at myofascial trigger points.
- Acupuncture – based on traditional Chinese medicine to regulate the flow and balance of energy in the body by placing needles in meridian points.
Results vary. Treatment provided by licensed clinicians. Contact us to see if dry needling is right for you.
