You may have heard the term dry needling and perhaps you’ve read about how it can be helpful for reducing pain. But what exactly is dry needling and how does it work?
In this article, we’ll explore what this method is, the difference between dry needling and acupuncture, the pros and cons of the treatment, and whether dry needling therapies might be right for you.
Dry Needling vs Acupuncture
Both acupuncture and dry needling involve the insertion of thin monofilament needles into the skin to relieve pain.
Acupuncture and dry needling use a similar method, but they are applied in different clinical settings by different types of healthcare professionals.
Dry needling, also known as trigger point dry needling, is a common clinical practice in Western Medicine. The practice of acupuncture has roots in traditional Chinese medicine and is applied by a certified acupuncturist.
Practitioners of each procedure are credentialed differently, and dry needling is typically applied by credentialed physical therapists or medical doctors. Dry needling has undergone many systematic reviews and clinical trials, while acupuncture has been studied less extensively.
- Physical therapists use dry needling to target specific myofascial trigger points in a muscle to reduce muscle tension, increase blood flow to the area, and decrease pain.
- In acupuncture, sterile needles are applied along energy (or chi) meridians in the body in order to reduce pain.
Depending on the purpose of dry needling treatment, needles can be inserted for up to thirty minutes, while in acupuncture they are usually inserted and left in the body for thirty minutes or more.
How Does Dry Needling Work?
The word myofascial has roots in the Latin terms myo, which refers tomuscle, and fascia which refers to the connective tissue surrounding the muscle. During treatment, your physical therapist inserts a small sterile needle into a myofascial trigger point (or point of tension) to relax tight tissues in and around the injured muscle.
Needling is helpful for treating both smaller and larger muscle groups with myofascial trigger point pain. It also stimulates the release of naturally occurring endorphins, which, similarly to opioids, aid in pain relief.
Dry needling has been shown to increase joint range of motion and blood flow to muscle while decreasing acute or chronic tension and pain.
Who Can Do Dry Needling?
Licensed physical therapists and other approved healthcare providers use trigger point dry needling as an effective treatment for patients with muscular and connective tissue pain.
Dry needling can help patients with many different medical conditions and diagnoses. Dry needling works to relieve:
- Many specific forms of musculoskeletal pain (in the neck, back, or shoulders for example)
- Myofascial pain syndrome and headaches
- Movement impairments, sports injury, tendon or muscle strains, or spasms
- Sciatica, osteoarthritis, or other nerve and joint-related issues
Dry needling is not recommended for patients who are fearful of needles, those who are elderly and frail, or who are unable or unwilling to give consent for any reason. People with a high infection risk or a history of abnormal bleeding or cellulitis should also avoid dry needling.
Your physical therapist will work with you to determine whether dry-needling therapies are appropriate for your body and whatever conditions you may be experiencing.
Treatment Techniques of Dry Needling
What to expect at your first treatment session
The treatment process is typically the same regardless of the area being treated. Your physical therapist will first make sure that you are comfortable on a treatment table, and they will clearly explain the process to you to make sure you understand how it works.
They will carefully feel your muscles to locate any areas of pain or tightness before inserting a clean dry needle into your skin. Physical therapists use needle palpation to identify different tissues with the tip of each solid filament needle to identify appropriate treatment areas.
Dry needling may be used on ligaments, tendons, muscle or scar tissue, or even the outer layer of bone (periosteum).
Techniques for trigger point dry needling
The pistoning technique involves quickly inserting, then removing a needle multiple times. Muscle twitch during pistoning means they have discovered an active trigger point that will release leading to pain relief.
Conversely, your physical therapist may passively leave the needle in a muscle trigger point for up to thirty minutes in order to relieve pain at your trigger points. They may also rotate the needle while it is in your skin to affect a larger area.
Research suggests that both are valid techniques shown to be effective treatments for trigger point release and pain relief.
Dry needling will be performed at the beginning or end of your physical therapy session depending on the goal of your treatment session. Oftentimes your treatment will include a combination of therapeutic exercises, dry needling, and other manual therapy techniques.
Immediately after dry needling, your physical therapist will recommend applying careful stretching or heat therapy to the area to aid in the recovery process. You should avoid putting a cold pack on the treatment area or using anti-inflammatories as both will decrease the effectiveness of the needling session.
Risks and Side Effects
While healthcare professionals are certified to perform dry needling using research-backed treatment guidelines, some adverse side effects might be expected, but risks are minimal compared to the pain relief and improved quality of life for patients.
Bruising and bleeding are common side effects, but both are normal, natural reactions that will resolve as with any other minor cut or bruise.
After a session, you might also feel some muscle soreness or fatigue similar to the effects of strenuous exercise. Muscle soreness or discomfort usually resolves within 24-48 hours.
Your therapist will use their extensive understanding of anatomy to avoid sensitive tissues. Dry needling practitioners are thoroughly trained to avoid certain areas around the neck, nerves, and organs in order to prevent injury to deeper body parts.
Lastly, there is a chance that your body might react with unexpected physical or emotional responses including sweating, nausea, feeling faint, or even crying as a result of sudden pain relief.
While reactions like these reactions are rare, they have occurred, and your PT will take every measure to ensure your safety and security throughout the process.
Other PT Treatments for the Same Conditions
The long-term effects of dry needling are still being studied, but there are a number of other physical therapy treatments for many of these conditions.
In the event that your healthcare provider determines that dry needling is not right for you, other effective treatments to consider might include:
- Non-invasive treatments like massage, stretching, compression or laser therapy, heat, acupressure, ultrasound, or medication.
- Invasive procedures like surgery, steroid injections, application of nerve blocks, or device implantation
There are a variety of methods to treat pain in each of these categories, and the best method of pain intervention for you depends on your history, personal needs, and safety. Talk to your doctor or your physical therapist to determine the best possible treatment option for your pain.
Conclusion
Trigger point dry needling can decrease your pain and improve your quality of life. Research has shown dry needling to be effective in managing and reducing short-term pain and muscle trigger point sensitivity. Studies about long-term effects are ongoing.
If you want to get to the bottom of your pain, consult with your healthcare provider today; your doctor or physical therapist is the first stop on the path to determining whether dry needling might be the right choice for you.
References:
- Boyce, D., Wempe, H., Campbell, C., Fuehne, S., Zylstra, E., Smith, G., Wingard, C., & Jones, R. (2020). Adverse events associated with therapeutic dry needling. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 15(1). 103-113. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32089962/
- Gattie, E., Cleland, J. A., & Snodgrass, S. (2017). The effectiveness of trigger point dry needling for musculoskeletal conditions by physical therapists: A systematic review and Meta-analysis.
- Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 47(3). 133-149. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2017.7096
- Kalichman, L. & Vulfsons, S. (2010). Dry needling in the management of musculoskeletal pain. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 23(35). 640-646. https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.2010.05.090296
