- Dry Needling
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Dry needling is a therapeutic technique used to treat muscle pain and movement issues. It's often part of a larger treatment plan.
What It Is and How It Works
Think of a muscle as a group of fibers. When these fibers get overworked or injured, they can form a tight, painful knot, known as a myofascial trigger point. This knot can be tender when you touch it and can cause pain in other areas of your body.
Dry needling involves a very thin, sterile needle directly into this trigger point. The term "dry" simply means that nothing is injected through the needle; the needle itself is the treatment tool. The goal is to get the muscle to relax.
In addition, some patients benefit from shallow needling, which targets surface-level trigger points just beneath the skin rather than deep within the muscle. This gentler method can be especially helpful for sensitive areas, nerve-related discomfort, or when easing a patient into more advanced dry needling therapy.
What It Helps With
Dry needling and shallow needling are used to treat a range of conditions related to muscle and nerve pain. By releasing the muscle knots, they can help:
• Reduce muscle tension: They help relieve tight bands of muscle, which can lessen pain and discomfort.
• Increase blood flow: The needling process can improve circulation to the area, which helps with the healing process.
• Improve range of motion: When muscles are less tense, they can move more freely, which can help with flexibility and movement.
• Decrease pain: Deactivating trigger points can reduce both localized pain and pain felt in other parts of the body.
Common reasons people get dry needling or shallow needling include chronic neck and back pain, headaches, sports injuries, and conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow.