Dry Needling:
Management for Pain, Myofascia and Mobility Issues
What is Dry Needling?
Trigger Point Dry Needling (TDN) involves placing a small filament needle into the muscle at the trigger point, which is typically in an area where the muscle is tight and tender. The intent of TDN is to elicit a local twitch response to normalize muscle tone, therefore improving the mobility of the muscle and decreasing the symptoms.
Dry Needling is performed at Haas Health by a licensed physical therapist who has received additional training in this technique. TDN is often an effective treatment for myofascial pain. Myofascial pain can be a component of many conditions including joint problems and soft tissue pathologies.
What To Expect At my Appointment?
Dry Needling is used as an adjunct to your physical therapy appointment. This means that as part of your initial assessment or follow up program, a certified physical therapist may discuss dry needling as a part of your treatment plan.
It is often used as part of a larger pain management plan that may also include a home exercise program (stretching/strengthening), myofascial treatment, education, & manual treatments. If your physical therapist feels dry needling may be beneficial, he/she will discuss the benefits and risks with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trigger points may be painful to touch, so as the therapist palpates to find the trigger point you may feel some discomfort. As the needle is placed, some people do not feel anything at all while others feel a small pinch. As the needle reaches the trigger point, some people experience some pain. Following treatment it is common to feel a little tightness and/or soreness around the trigger point.
When used as a part of your treatment plan, dry needling is considered safe when performed by a certified therapist. It helps to release trigger points, which in turn helps to relieve muscle stiffness and soreness. It may also increase your flexibility and range of motion.
Acupuncture and dry needling are both needle-based therapies, but their main differences lie in their historical origins, underlying principles, and treatment goals. Acupuncture, rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, is based on the concept of balancing the flow of energy (qi) along meridians in the body. Thin needles are inserted into specific points to stimulate energy flow and promote holistic well-being. In contrast, dry needling, a Western technique, focuses on addressing musculoskeletal issues, particularly trigger points or tight muscles. It does not involve the traditional Chinese medicine principles of energy balance. Instead, dry needling aims to release muscle tension, deactivate dysfunctional muscle fibers, and facilitate the body’s natural healing processes. While both therapies use needles, acupuncture has a broader, holistic approach rooted in ancient Chinese philosophy, while dry needling is a more modern, targeted intervention with a focus on physical aspects of the musculoskeletal system.
