Dry Needling
What is dry needling?
Dry needling is a clinical treatment that utilizes a very small diameter needle placed into painful soft tissue (muscles, tendons, capsules, ligaments, etc). The placement of the needle is based on the patient's unique evaluation findings to directly address each patient's pain and dysfunction. The small needle used in dry needling varies in length depending on where in the body the needle is placed - safety is always the main focus of treatment!
Dry needling looks a lot like acupuncture, but they are different!
Acupuncture uses eastern medicine principles to treat physical, mental, and emotional pathologies. Dry Needling utilizes the western medicine principles like neurology, physiology, and anatomy to treat neuro-physiological pathologies like decreased mobility, strength, function and pain. While acupuncture and dry needling may utilize the same monofilament needle, their ideology and treatment approach is significantly different.
Not all dry needling techniques are the same. I am trained in Integrative Dry Needling (IDN). IDN clinicians go through a comprehensive training program to not only learn how to palpate or feel for tight/tender spots in your tissues and address those with a needle (trigger point dry needling), but they also learn an assessment and treatment strategy for the nervous system. With this training I not only treat tight muscles, but I also have the tools to assess and utilize dry needles to safely and effectively manage the root cause of your neuro-musculoskeletal condition.
Dry Needling Options at Willow Tree
Dry needling can be an incredibly helpful tool in your treatment journey. If you are coming to Willow Tree for physical therapy or wellness, it may be included as a part of your treatment plan (if you are comfortable with it).
We can also do dry needling as a stand alone treatment to address a specific problem, or to help you maintain the gains you made during therapy.
FAQs about Dry Needling
Does dry needling hurt?
Dry needling is an invasive procedure that when performed appropriately should only cause minor short-term discomfort if any, and should not be considered painful.
Needle placement is commonly associated with: twitch response (muscle jumps reflexively) or deep dull achiness that should dissipate rather quickly.
Are there any reasons I wouldn’t be able to do dry needling?
If you have a needle phobia, this might not be the best treatment for you.
We need to be extra cautions if you have local or systemic infections or local lymphedema.
I need to know if you have any metal allergies so I can use a different needle.
We need to be extra cautious if you have abnormal bleeding tendencies, have a compromised immune systems, recently had surgery in the area, have vascular disease, etc.
There are also some special considerations if you are pregnant.
If you have any questions about your personal conditions, please contact me!
What are the benefits of dry needling?
There are many benefits of dry needling because it manages soft tissue inflammation and positively influences the function of your nervous system!
Some of the benefits you will experience with dry needling treatment:
Improved blood flow
Release of tension in muscles
Decreased pain
Increase in range of motion
Increase in muscle strength
Improved daily function