Frequently Asked Questions About Dry Needling

If you have chronic headaches or have conditions that cause you pain or make your life more difficult, you may have heard of dry needling.

It involves inserting solid filament needles into precise points in the skin to provide treatment for pain and other conditions that may be affecting you.

At Capitol Physical Therapy, we offer dry needling therapy to help you find relief from what’s causing you distress.

As a physical therapy clinic in Washington DC, we specialize in pain management for a wide variety of different situations and health conditions.

Today, we want to provide you with some more information about dry needling and address some frequently asked questions people ask us about it.

Keep reading to learn more about dry needling and how it can help you.

What Is Dry Needling?

Most people don’t know what dry needling is and often many others confuse dry needling with acupuncture.

Dry needling is a form of physical therapy that involves inserting small, sterile filament needles into the skin.

It’s referred to as “dry” needling because there’s no medication or solution being injected into the body and no blood being drawn.

It works by inserting thin filament needles through your skin to target specific trigger points.

When these needles hit their targeted trigger points it creates a twitch response.

This twitch helps to release muscle tension and pain.

Dry needling can also increase blood flow in target areas and increase your range of motion.

Dry needling is used as a treatment method for pain relief, and can help address a variety of conditions that may affect you.

What Is A Trigger Point?

Trigger points are specific areas on your body where your muscles are irritated.

The affected muscle contains numerous contraction knots that can limit your ability to strengthen, contract, or lengthen it.

This can cause the muscle to compress and shorten the anatomic structures around it and lead to pain and discomfort.

Trigger points can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as:

• Overuse
• Injury
• Musculoskeletal dysfunction

Is Dry Needling Painful?

Dry needling is generally not painful.

The needles being used are very thin and you may not even feel them being inserted into your skin.

Some people may feel slight pain, but it usually passes within seconds and typically won’t be more painful than your existing symptoms.

Some areas on your body may be more tender than others.

When the needle hits its target trigger point, you may feel a quick, almost instant, pain response, similar to a mild sting.

You may also feel an ache or cramping sensation from the muscle’s twitch response when the needle is inserted into it.

Keep in mind that feeling aches or sensitivities from your body’s twitch response is a good thing and means that the therapy is working.

Are There Any Risks With Dry Needling?

Dry needling is considered to be a safe form of physical therapy.

Our team of physical therapists are trained and certified to perform this procedure.

That said, there are sometimes some side effects you may experience.

These include soreness, bleeding, and bruising.

If you do experience these, they are almost always mild and pass very quickly.

However, there are certain people who may not be suited for dry needling.

This can include those who:

• Are pregnant
• Have an extreme phobia of needles
• Have lymphedema
• Are currently ill
• Are taking blood thinners
• Are under the age of 12
• Cannot consent due to cognitive limitations

Speak to your physical therapist to learn more and explore your options.

What Should You Wear To A Dry Needling Session?

It’s recommended that you wear loose fitting clothes when going to a dry needling session.

This will let your physical therapist access the muscles that require treatment.

When you go to a dry needling session you typically lay on a treatment table.

Wear something that will allow you to remain comfortable for the duration of the session.

If you are having a dry needling session done on your legs, consider wearing shorts.

For treatment on your lower back and hips, consider wearing loose fitting pants to allow your physical therapist to easily access those trigger points.

What Should I Do Before My Dry Needling Session?

Your physical therapist will discuss whether you are a good candidate for dry needling before your session.

Also, as we’ve mentioned, plan your outfit accordingly for your session.

Wear something comfortable that gives your physical therapist access to your trigger points.

It’s also a good idea to stay as hydrated as possible prior to your appointment.

This can help reduce muscle soreness that may result from your dry needling session.

What Should I Do After My Dry Needling Session?

Some people may experience soreness or tenderness in their trigger points and surrounding muscles after a dry needling session.

This soreness generally lasts between several hours to two days.

Hot and cold therapy, stretching, and avoiding certain physical activity can help alleviate soreness.

After several dry needling treatments, your post treatment soreness typically tends to decrease and you’ll be able to notice your results much faster.

Some people may also experience dizziness, drowsiness, and tiredness after a dry needling session.

If you experience any of these symptoms it’s recommended that you wait until you’ve fully recovered before driving.

While you may feel relief from acute pain after one session, chronic pain conditions typically require several treatments for you to feel noticeable differences.

What Can Dry Needling Help With?

Dry needling is a physical therapy technique used for pain relief and management.

It can be especially effective for pain, dysfunction, and tension in your muscles.

It can also help you recover faster following an injury.

As we’ve mentioned, chronic pain can be the result of overuse, injury, or musculoskeletal dysfunction.

Dry needling can help with a number of conditions.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common conditions that dry needling can help with.

1. Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by muscle pain, tenderness, fatigue, insomnia, and cognitive and mood issues.

Those with fibromyalgia often develop trigger points.

Dry needling can be an effective method of relieving the pressure from those trigger points.

Additionally, dry needling helps to release endorphins, a natural biochemical, which can provide pain relief and help manage the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

2. Tennis Elbow

A tennis elbow injury commonly occurs from the overuse of the extensor muscles in your forearm.

It’s often considered a sports injury.

However, it can also occur from lifting too heavy or from daily repetitive movements.

Tennis elbow affects the tendons that are attached to your elbow bones.

This can impact your grip and throwing ability.

Dry needling can be an effective treatment for tennis elbow by helping relieve pain and increase blood flow, which may decrease inflammation.

3. Arthritis Pain

Osteoarthritis is a condition that’s characterized by swelling and inflammation in the joints.

Seniors are most commonly affected by osteoarthritis.

Dry needling helps to provide relief from chronic pain and to restore range of movement in your joints.

While dry needling can help manage arthritis symptoms, it cannot stop the degeneration caused by arthritis.

Dry needling can be especially effective for knee pain associated with arthritis.

It can help relax overworked muscles and increase the knee’s mobility where it’s limited by soft tissues.

Dry needling can be used alongside other physical therapy treatments to optimize your therapy and help you continue to enjoy your daily activities for longer.

4. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a form of repetitive strain injury.

It’s caused by excess pressure on the median nerve in your hand.

This may cause weakness, numbness, and pain in your hand and wrists.

Carpal tunnel syndrome may also cause compressed nerves that affect your arm, neck, and shoulder.

Dry needling can help relieve the pressure of these trigger points, which can provide pain relief and increased mobility.

5. General Pain Relief

Dry needling is geared as a treatment towards relieving pain.

Pain can be the result of overused or injured muscles that prevent normal blood flow to affected areas.

This can also cause nerves to become sensitive or painful.

Dry needling can help provide pain relief and help regulate blood flow to specific trigger points.

Some conditions that can benefit from dry needling include:

• Sciatica pain
• Lower back pain
• Upper back paid
• Myofascial pain syndrome
• Chronic headaches and migraines
• Bone spurs
• Herniated discs
• Spinal issues
• Kyphosis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Mouth and jaw issues, like TMJ

Book Your Appointment With Capitol Physical Therapy Today

If you’re dealing with chronic pain, dry needling may help.

It’s a minimally invasive treatment method that can be used alongside other physical therapy treatments.

At Capitol Physical Therapy, our expert staff can answer any questions you may have about dry needling and help you relieve your pain.

Book your appointment with Capitol Physical Therapy today.