What is Dry Needling?
The use of very thin, solid needles inserted into the skin and underlying structures like muscles, trigger points, tendons, and scar tissue for the purpose of decreasing pain (joint pain, back pain), improving range of motion, decreasing radiating symptoms (pain, numbness, tingling), reducing muscle spasm, decreasing headaches and jaw pain, and improving your physical mobility and function. Typically, when used as part of a physical therapy treatment, other aspects of care will include stretching, manual therapy, exercises, modalities, and balance training as appropriate. For a quick demonstration and discussion of what dry needling is watch this YouTube video. Warning, yes it shows needles being placed into the skin.
Who Performs Dry Needling?
Trained physical therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, MDs, DO’s. Ask your medical team for a referral to a dry needling provider if you think you’d like to try it. Search the internet for providers in your area.
Why is Dry Needling an Important Piece of the Puzzle when Dealing with Pain?
Truthfully, it may or may not be. What we know about life, there is never such thing as a sure thing. What we treat as therapeutic clinicians is the arthro-neuro-muscular system. Yes, joints, nerves, and muscles! An anatomical system. Physician care is fragmented. Typically, you may start out seeing your general practitioner who then will refer you in many different directions: neuro, ortho, podiatrist, rheumatologist, the hip guy, the spine guy, the shoulder guy. There are plenty of options for taking medications, having injections, having surgery, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers. But should these be the first line of defense?
The medical system historically has undertreated the neuromuscular system. Listen up. The nerves control everything. We have about 45 miles of nerves in our bodies. One MRI of the spine will not tell you what you need to know about the pain in your hip, knee, or foot. Irritations of nerves can happen anywhere in your body. The nerve pathways (peripherally and centrally) are what signal to the brain that something is wrong. When nerve supplies are cut, compressed, or compromised we run into issues ranging from numbness, tingling, paralysis, pain, tightness, looseness, radiating, burning, limping, immobility, and throbbing. Remember the nerves run the show. They connect with all systems in your body: organs, muscles, bones, and vessels.
An ankle sprain is a nerve injury. A shoulder strain is a nerve injury. Whiplash is a nerve injury. Headaches may in fact be a nerve injury. Elbow pain may be a nerve injury. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a nerve injury. Sciatica is a nerve injury. Could your bursitis be a nerve injury?
Things we know about nerves: They need blood flow, space, and movement!
What theories tell us about dry needling: The technique may increase local circulation, may change the faulty chemical compositions at neuromuscular junctions, and can alter pain signals to and from the brain.
The takeaway: Whether you choose the path of dry needling or not, checking in with a physical therapist, chiropractor, massage therapist, acupuncturist, or other trained bodyworker should get you on a better path to healing your injury. We treat neuromuscular symptoms. Find your partner in health first, before you are walking the line toward medication prescriptions or surgeries.
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