Benefits of Dry Needling at Mangiarelli Rehabilitation
Dry needling is an effective physical therapy treatment for musculoskeletal pain. Using thin filiform needles, a physical therapist inserts the needle into a taut band of muscle, called a trigger point, to release tension, minimize pain, and restore range of motion and mobility. Dry needling is used to treat a variety of conditions, including fibromyalgia, headaches, muscle and joint pain, and low back pain. Dry needling has a number of benefits such as reducing pain, increasing blood flow, and improving function and movement. It’s minimally invasive, cost-effective, and reduces reliance on pain medications.
What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a physical therapy treatment used to treat acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain. It is performed as one aspect of a comprehensive physical therapy treatment plan. Dry needling is a manual therapy technique that can speed up the recovery process, increase range of motion, improve a patient’s ability to move with decreased pain, and enhance healing after an injury.
Dry needling is also referred to as trigger point dry needling and intramuscular manual therapy. Dry needling is distinct from acupuncture. Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine. Dry needling is western medicine that is performed after evaluation of a patient’s pain patterns, posture, movement impairments, and function.
In the United States, certain states require physical therapists to be licensed to practice dry needling, which includes Ohio. To be licensed in dry needling, physical therapists must take post-graduate courses to be certified. At Mangiarelli Rehabilitation, three of our therapists are licensed to practice dry needling on our physical therapy patients.
Dry needling should be avoided for patients with certain bleeding disorders and pregnant women, particularly in their first trimester. Dry needling is used as part of treatment for a variety of conditions, including:
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Face and jaw pain
Foot pain and ankle sprains
Hip and Leg pain
Impingement of a tendon
Low back and neck pain
Shoulder and arm pain
Tendonitis
How Does Dry Needling Work at Mangiarelli Rehabilitation?
When performing dry needling, the physical therapist wears gloves and uses thin filiform and sterile needles that are inserted through the skin into trigger points to stimulate the tissue and inactivate the trigger point. Most patients feel little to no pain as the needle is inserted. The procedure can last from a few seconds to up to 10 minutes; needles are used once per muscle and discarded in a medical sharps container.
The length of the needle can vary: a half-inch needle may be used for TMJ treatment whereas a one-inch needle could be used for neck and shoulder pain and a two-inch needle for back pain treatment. The therapist may also use electrical stimulation with the dry needling to accelerate the healing process. Pain relief can be immediate and lasts from a few hours to several weeks.
A trigger point is a taut band of skeletal muscle located within a larger muscle group that can be tender to touch and refer pain to other parts of the body. A trigger point can occur when a muscle is injured or overused as inflammation builds up in the damaged tissues. The muscle enters a protective tension state (contracture of the muscle) to protect itself against further damage.
When contracture of the muscle occurs, this inhibits circulation in the muscle that deprives the muscle tissue of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood. This also prevents waste products from leaving the site of injury. When this happens, the muscle can begin producing scar tissue which limits the muscle tissue’s ability to fully function. The muscle shortens and becomes taut, which can irritate nerves and cause pain at the site and referred pain to surrounding tissues.
When the therapist inserts the dry needle into the trigger point, the needle stimulates the muscle and scar tissue, producing a “twitch reflex.” The patient may experience a slight cramp or aching sensation briefly during the twitch response, which means that the dry needle is stimulating the taut muscle fibers. The twitch reflex decreases the contraction of the muscle, reduces pain, and helps to improve mobility and range of motion in the muscle and surrounding tissues.
Mangiarelli Rehabilitation physical therapist Jen demonstrates how dry needling is performed on the neck in the video below:
5 Benefits of Dry Needling Physical Therapy
Reduces Pain and Improve Blood Flow: Dry needling stimulates the taut trigger point to reduce pain and muscle tension. It prompts a healing response in the body and promotes oxygen-rich blood flow to the affected area.
Improves Function & Movement: After dry needling, the patient experiences less pain and is able to move the affected area and muscle with greater ease. The patient experiences improved muscle response time and restored range of motion.
Minimal Side Effects: The side effects of dry needling are minimal and short-term, such as brief aching in the area or slight bruising. Within 24 hours, the patient should experience less pain and cessation of aching or soreness in that area.
Reduced Reliance on Pain Medications: Dry needling is a low-risk, minimally invasive treatment for pain. It helps patients to manage pain without the use of pain medications.
Cost-Effective: Dry needling is an inexpensive physical therapy treatment that some insurances cover. It saves a patient money on medical costs associated with injections, medications, or surgery.
If you are experiencing acute or chronic pain, talk with your physical therapist to see if dry needling could be an effective treatment to help you manage pain and regain function.
