What is Dry Needling?

By: Emily Hollomon, PT, DPT, CMTPT/DN, AIB-VR and Stacie Cole, PT, DPT, Cert. DN

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Dry needling is the use of a very thin filament (needle) to address areas of muscle tension and pain. The purpose is to relieve pain by increasing blood flow to the muscles and joints, helping nerves become less irritated, and encouraging the relaxation of muscles.

How is Dry Needling Different from Acupuncture?

Dry needling addresses musculoskeletal issues by targeting muscle trigger points to alleviate pain and muscle tightness, while acupuncture uses needles at specific points along energy pathways to address the body’s overall health and energy.

How Does Dry Needling Work?

Your therapist will look for trigger points in the muscles, or where the muscles fibers are not aligned properly, and insert the needle into the trigger point to relieve the tension. The procedure may vary depending on the level of pain and the therapist. Some therapists leave the needle in for a specific amount of time, others move the needle around, and sometimes electrical stimulation is used.

Electrical stimulation helps the needles be more effective in releasing tension. The stimulation setting can be very high or very low depending on each person’s pain tolerance. The stimulation lasts for about 10 minutes.

After the needle is removed, the therapist will sometimes press on the point of insertion for 15 seconds to alleviate bruising in the area. If time allows, a hot compress may be applied to the area to help with any discomfort the person may be experiencing.

How is Dry Needling Most Effective?

Dry needling is most effective when paired with other kinds of physical therapy since it is only one component of the entire therapy process. When dry needling is paired with additional physical therapy treatment, it can help improve overall success. When used on its own, the results are short-lived.

What are the Benefits of Dry Needling?

There are many benefits of dry needling such as pain relief, muscle relaxation, improved blood flow, and an overall decrease in muscle tightness. It can be used to treat many diagnosis, including, but not limited to: neck pain, low back pain, piriformis syndrome, TMJ pain, tennis elbow, headaches, and foot pain.

What are the Side Effects of Dry Needling?

After the procedure, there may be some soreness in the area, which can last for a few hours or up to a day. If the pain lasts longer, tell your therapist so that they do not insert the needle as deeply in the next session. Some people also experience bruising, especially those on blood thinners.

Who is Eligible for Dry Needling?

Communication with your therapist is the best way to see if you are eligible for dry needling. However, if you are pregnant, have a pacemaker, have an open wound, or had surgery within the past three months, dry needling is not recommended.

Sheltering Arms Institute has licensed physical therapists who are certified in dry needling. To schedule an appointment with a physical therapist at Sheltering Arms Institute, please visit www.shelteringarmsinstitute.com/contact-us or call (804) 764-1000.

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