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One of the most common questions we hear at our clinic is, “So tell me about this dry needling thing...”
Pure Physio Physical Therapy is known for unique modalities of care. We want to give patients revolutionary results, so we use revolutionary treatments - like dry needling.
Dry needling therapy is a highly effective treatment for various musculoskeletal issues. The method relieves muscle tension to decrease pain and improve mobility. Adding dry needling to your treatment plan can make a huge difference in your recovery time. That's why Pure Physio is dry needling certified.
If you’re not familiar with the technique (or suffer from fear of needles), dry needling can sound a little intimidating. So with this blog post, we’re going to completely demystify the entire treatment for you. We’ll break down what exactly dry needling is, its history, the benefits, how we use it here in our clinic, and more.
What is Dry Needling Therapy?
Dry needling is a technique where fine, sterile needles are inserted into specific spots in the muscle tissue. Oftentimes, these spots could be trigger points (but not always!).
Trigger points are particularly irritable areas within a taut band of muscle fibers. These points can be tender to the touch and may even cause pain to other areas of the body. The insertion of the thin, dry needles can release tension in these trigger points. This improves blood flow, which helps with pain, mobility, and muscle function.
Is Dry Needling Like Acupuncture?
This is definitely a common follow up question. When people hear needles, sometimes they think of acupuncture. The needles are about the only thing these two techniques have in common! Dry needling and acupuncture have very different uses.
Acupuncture is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. Alternatively, dry needling is based on Western medicine principles that focus on musculoskeletal dysfunction.
There’s a time and a place for both. Pure Physio just happens to be the place for dry needling. But if you need traditional acupuncture, we’re happy to connect you with one of our colleagues. 😉
How Does Dry Needling Work?
The goal of dry needling is to treat pain, reduce muscle tightness, and restore optimal function of muscles, tendons, joints, nerves and ligaments.
Assessment: The physical therapist assesses the patient's condition to identify if and how dry needling can fit into their plan of care. Precautions and contraindications are reviewed. Patient’s comfort is a top priority, and consent is always obtained prior to treatment.
Insertion: Fine, sterile needles are inserted into the target tissue as per protocol. Electrical stimulation may be applied if necessary.
Response: The needle insertion will often cause a twitch response in the muscle. This twitching is not just normal - it’s a sign the treatment is working!
Removal: Treatment can last 15-30 minutes. Trigger point release is immediate. Electrical stimulation clips are detached and needles are removed.
Benefits of Dry Needling
How can dry needling help you? Let’s go through some of the ways.
Pain Relief: Dry needling has helped patients with chronic back pain, neck pain, headaches, sports injuries, and more find relief.
Improved Mobility: By targeting and releasing tight muscles, dry needling can improve range of motion and flexibility. This is super important for athletes or anyone recovering from injuries.
Faster Recovery: Dry needling improves blood flow and promotes tissue healing, which can speed up your entire recovery process. We often recommend it as an addition to post-surgical rehabilitation.
Reduction of Chronic Conditions: For patients suffering from chronic conditions like fibromyalgia or myofascial pain syndrome, dry needling helps to provide long-term relief and improve their quality of life.
Why Choose Pure Physio Physical Therapy for Dry Needling?
Like we said earlier - we love new and groundbreaking treatments.
At Pure Physio Physical Therapy, Dr. Harsh Prajapati is dry needling certified. Plus, our entire team is committed to providing the highest quality of care. We explain each step of treatment so that our patients are comfortable and informed about the entire appointment.
Don’t just take our word for it, though. Here are some patient testimonials from our clinic in Hazlet, New Jersey. You can see for yourself how adding dry needling into a physical therapy routine is a game changer.
We are so grateful for all of our patients here at Pure Physio.
What to Expect During a Dry Needling Session at Pure Physio Physical Therapy
Ready to book your first dry needling session with us? Here’s what you can expect.
Consultation: Every session at Pure Physio begins with a consultation. The physical therapist (PT) will discuss your medical history, symptoms, and treatment goals with you. This is a two-way conversation; we want you to feel comfortable and involved!
Treatment Plan. Next, we develop a personalized treatment plan for each patient. Like the consultation, the PT will explain each step to you and obtain consent before performing any treatment.
Procedure: Once a patient is ready to go, our PT will perform the dry needling procedure. Electrical stimulation or a heating lamp may also be used.
Post-Treatment Care: After the needles are removed, other manual therapy treatment or exercises may be performed, such as massage or heat therapy, to give you the most we can per session.
Follow-Up: Finally, we’ll provide guidance on post-treatment care, exercises, and stretches. We want you to keep the benefits at home, too!
Common Questions About Dry Needling
Is Dry Needling Painful?
Most patients experience a minor pinch at most. Some may feel a slight twitching sensation. We do our best to keep each patient comfortable throughout the process at Pure Physio. A patient may request to stop the treatment at any point.
How Many Sessions Before I See Results?
It varies based on the individual’s condition and response to treatment. As you saw from our testimonials, some patients may feel relief after just one session. Others might need a few sessions for their best results. We do recommend 4 treatments before deciding to continue or stop dry needling.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Side effects are generally mild and may include temporary soreness, bruising, or fatigue. These usually resolve within a few days.
Book YOUR Dry Needling Appointment!
Now you know! Dry needling is a powerful tool for managing pain and improving muscular capabilities.
At Pure Physio, we get excited to create a personalized and effective treatment plan for each and every patient. That’s why we're dedicated to bringing you new and unique modalities of treatment like dry needling.
To learn more about treatment options, or to schedule a consultation, please contact our clinic! [CONTACT INFO]
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