Dry Needling — Mobility Physical Therapy

Dry Needling has taken the physical therapy world by storm.

I’ve watched flashy new treatment fads come and go so I was initially skeptical of this new (although related to super old acupuncture) treatment. How many years is it going to be before this technique is considered ineffective or outdated?

I could be wrong, but based on current evidence and my own clinical experience, I think this technique is here to stay. If the sight of needles doesn’t make you queasy, then follow along to learn a little more about this form of treatment.

What is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is the use of a thin monofilament needle to address muscular and neuromuscular dysfunction. As opposed to wet needling that involves an injection of liquid, dry needling is simply the insertion of a needle into a specific tissue in the body. In orthopedic physical therapy, these tissues tend to be trigger points or areas of muscle tightness, but needles can also be inserted into tendons, ligaments, and joints as well.

The goal of this treatment is to:
expedite the healing process
increase mobility
decrease pain
restore typical function of tissue.

How does it work?

Well now that’s a good question!

In Western Medicine, the understanding of how dry needling works continues to evolve. Current theories include:

Our body heals through acquiring nutrients from blood. By creating a new lesion with the thin needle, blood is internally drawn to the area which allows for an increase in healing response.
Taut bands of tissue can form in muscles that create what are called trigger points. These trigger points lack oxygen and nutrients and have sensitized nerves and an acidic environment. By introducing a thin needle to the taut band, we change the chemical nature of the tissue, decrease the nerve sensitivity, and allow for nutrient rich blood flow to release the trigger point.
While dry needling can affect local neurotransmitters to block pain from reaching the brain, it can also tap into our body’s natural opioid system to release endorphins to reduce pain. With these multiple lines of pain communication, dry needling can be a very efficient and effective tool to modulate symptoms.

What to expect:

At Mobility Physical Therapy, your physical therapist will determine the best placement for the needles and, using a gentle tap, will insert the needle into your tissue.

Depending on the person and area of treatment, some people may experience a mild pinch while others will not feel the needle at all.

Your physical therapist will then maneuver the needle to target the identified tissue. During this procedure, you may experience a muscle “twitch response” or mild ache. Depending on the area being treated, the needle will either be removed immediately or will remain in the tissue for up to 30 minutes.

You may feel immediate pain relief while others will experience mild soreness for up to 48 hours. Within a few days you are expected to notice a decrease in your symptoms with a potential improvement in your mobility.

Is it safe?

Generally, yes, dry needling is safe. Most common side effects are pain, bruising, and bleeding. While there are sensitive structures in our bodies that should not be needled (lungs, kidneys, etc), physical therapists certified in dry needling are trained to avoid these areas.

Dry needling is not right for everyone so you will be asked a series of questions prior to the procedure to ensure that it is safe for you.