Can I Have Dry Needling Performed On Me?
You have some type of pain and are curious whether dry needling might be an effective treatment for you. It is not for everybody. There are some absolute contraindications and other relative (cautious) contraindications.
Absolutely Nope!
1. Needle phobia - you are just too scared of needles!
2. You don’t want to. Simple. Done.
3. Unable to give consent - potentially due to communication, cognitive, or age-related factors.
4. You are having a medical emergency.
5. May not be advised if you are undergoing current cancer treatments. Discuss with your MD.
6. Over areas of lymphedema due to increased risk of infection/cellulitis.
7. Open category of inappropriate for any other reason.
8. Recent surgery - best to wait 6 - 12 weeks after any surgery. Discuss with needling provider.
Maybe, Let’s Talk About It.
1. Abnormal bleeding tendency. Bleeding and bruising are common side effects of needling therapy.
2. Vascular disease. How are your blood vessels working?
3. Compromised immune system may lead you to be at greater risk of infection. Talk to your MD.
4. Diabetes - poor tissue healing, sensory deficits, poor circulation.
5. Pregnancy - nope, not in the first trimester.
6. Children - usually not done on those younger than 13 years old. Depends on maturity and willingness.
7. Sick or frail patients - just may not tolerate the dry needling procedure.
8. Patients with epilepsy - caution, due to sensory experiences.
9. Psychological status - anxiety or emotional distress? It just may not be the right treatment. Discuss.
10. Patient allergies - typical needles have 8-10% nickel & 11% chromium. Needle allergy is rare.
11. Medications - immune suppressive drugs, psychotropic or mood-altering, blood thinning. Discuss.
12. Implanted devices such as catheters, drug delivery systems, implants, wires, electric devices. Discuss.
What Could Go Wrong?
1. Painful treatment. Post-needling soreness is common for 1-2 days post-treatment.
2. Bruising and bleeding. Common.
3. Fainting, dizziness, sweating, light-headedness. Rest and delay driving until feeling well.
4. Bending or breaking of the needle. Rare. Discuss with your needling provider.
5. Infection - pain, swelling, redness, fever, malaise. Seek medical assessment.
6. Fatigue - don’t drive until feeling well.
7. Pneumothorax. Rare but serious complication. Symptoms may include: shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing, and decreased breath sounds. Seek emergency medical attention.
***Your dry needling provider will be weighing the pros and cons of this type of treatment. Have an open dialogue. Remember, there is no such thing as a magical treatment and your symptoms more than likely will not be cured in one session of dry needling, or anything else for that matter.
Disclosure: I have been a proponent, clinician, and client of dry needling services for the past 10+ years. It is the one tool that I have used in my 22+ year physical therapy career that consistently offers clients at least a fairly rapid change in their symptoms. Honestly, when I get injured or have pain that I can’t shake, it is the help of a dry needling provider that I seek first and foremost. ***This is my personal experience, preference, and knowledge base. This is not a substitute for you seeking your own medical advice.
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Dry Needling For You, St. Pete!
Provider: Julie Schumann, PT
Location: Valverde Chiropractic, 5203 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, Fl 33710
Limited appointment times: Monday, Tuesday, and Friday
Email for an appointment or to discuss whether this type of treatment might help.
Website: www.dryneedlingforyou.com
If you are a provider of dry needling services (yes, all provider types, not just PTs) and you would like to be included in my provider referral list, please email me. I will not entertain debates between professionals or inter professionally. Been there, done that. Niceness and respect wins.
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