Dry Needling for Drug-Free Relief From Muscular Pain 

There are many options for pain relief, but they can involve invasive surgery with long recovery times or powerful pain relievers with harmful side effects. Dry needling is an effective method healthcare providers use to treat musculoskeletal pain without cutting or medicine. 

What is dry needling?

Though dry needling may sound scary, as needles often have a negative connotation in medicine, it’s not those needles. Needling involves inserting very thin sterilized needles into specific points in the body for relief. The needles don’t inject any medicine, so the process is called “dry” needling. 

Instead, the needles are inserted below the skin and into the muscle to access the tight or sore area called a “trigger point” and stimulate it. This stimulation helps relieve the pain and movement issues caused by tight bands of muscle. Dry needling is often used with other therapies to help increase the range of motion, speed up recovery times, and improve rehab efforts. 

What needles are used in dry needling?

The needles used in dry needling are thin, almost hair-like filiform needles. They easily penetrate the skin and the muscle below to trigger sensitive points. These needles typically cause minimal pain but rather a prick sensation when inserted. The needles used in dry needling and acupuncture are always sterilized and disposable. 

What are trigger points? 

Trigger points are muscular knots or tight bands that are often tender or sensitive. They can be painful to the touch and cause pain in the surrounding areas or other parts of the body. These trigger points are areas the healthcare provider will first locate with touch and pinpoint to determine how to proceed using the dry needling technique. 

Dry needling penetrates the muscular or connective tissue reaching the problem area in a way that a therapist cannot when using their hands alone. These trigger points located deeper in the tissue may cause movement issues, spasms, or even chronic pain. 

Is dry needling acupuncture?

Dry needling is similar to acupuncture and is often used alongside it for treatments. Acupuncture is a traditional holistic healthcare method using thin needles inserted into the body to encourage healing and a balance of energy. Acupuncture focuses on the energy pathways or “meridians” within the body that flow through it and connect it together in harmony. Acupuncture is used to restore balance dysfunctions disrupting this harmony. 

While acupuncture uses needles and is a form of therapy, it is not dry needling. Dry needling is more focused on the modern science of relieving muscle tension by stimulating trigger points. A similar strategy is used in foam roll stretching, in which pressure is applied on tight muscles to trigger them to relieve tension.

How it works

When the dry needle is inserted into the muscle trigger point, it causes a reaction. The muscle will be stimulated, twitch, and then relax to help loosen the tightness. The needle prick also causes a small amount of trauma or inflammation in the sensitive area, which sends a signal to the brain. The brain then sends more oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to the site, which increases circulation. 

Along with increased blood flow and muscle stimulation comes a release of endorphins which can help alleviate pain. This combination helps speed recovery, loosens tight areas, and sometimes provides immediate relief of muscular pain.

What to expect

Once you explain your pain, your healthcare provider will give a physical assessment to locate the pain point. They will then determine which trigger point to access and proceed with the dry needling. The insertion of the needles themselves causes little to no pain. Once in the muscle, there will likely be a sense of pressure as the tight or sore area is stimulated. The muscle will then twitch and relax, reducing the inflammation there. 

How long does dry needling take?

The needles could be left in between a few seconds up to 20 minutes, depending on the depth of the pain and how long it takes to achieve the twitch. The total session should be completed within 30 minutes. Afterward, muscles may be sore as they have been “worked out” or stimulated by the needles. 

When will I feel relief?

While you can experience some immediate improvements, the full benefit will be felt up to 24-48 hours after a session. Dry needling is cumulative, and while some relief can be achieved in the first session, more sessions are often required for more benefit. 

Who should try dry needling?

While dry needling is an excellent tool for athletes, it can benefit anyone. Muscular tightness and pain have various causes and affect people of all ages and capabilities. Dry needling is a non-invasive, drug-free option for anyone seeking relief or an extra tool in their recovery efforts. 

Dry needling can help treat many conditions, including:

• Joint issues
• Tendonitis
• Pelvic pain
• Phantom limb pain
• Sprains and strains
• Headaches
• Back pain
• Spine or disk issues
• Tennis/ golf elbow
• Whiplash

Schedule an evaluation for dry needling with licensed acupuncturist Beth Conroy today.