Have you heard of the term “dry needling” but aren’t sure what it means? This technique is used by physical therapists and healthcare professionals to help ease muscle tension and pain. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of dry needling therapy, how much it costs, and more.
What is Dry Needling Therapy?
Dry needling is the technique of using long, thin needles to treat trigger points in the muscle underneath the skin. These needles are single-use, sterile, and disposable; depending on your conditions and area of treatment, your physical therapist may insert as few as 2 needles or between 10 and 15 needles. By stimulating these trigger points with needles, dry needling therapy helps to relieve tension, improve blood flow, and stimulate endorphin production, your body’s natural pain reliever. The “dry” in dry needling refers to the fact that there is no medication inserted into the muscle like an injection, just the needle itself being the treatment.
Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture
While both dry needling and acupuncture are both needle-based therapies, they are not interchangeable terms, but two different treatment options. Acupuncturists place needles along meridian lines that correspond to organs and use this technique as a holistic treatment to restore balance and energy in the body. Dry needling is a Western medicine technique used by physical therapists and is typically used to treat musculoskeletal conditions for pain relief and range of motion function.
What Are the Benefits of Dry Needling?
Dry needling therapy has proven effective for a variety of conditions, reducing inflammation, speeding up recovery time, improving range of motion, relaxing tension, and lowering pain. Conditions dry needling may benefit include:
Sciatica
Tendonitis
Migraines
Whiplash
Disk and spinal issues
Joint pain
Pelvic pain
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Phantom limb pain
And so much more!
Does Dry Needling Hurt?
Dry needling therapy may cause some discomfort; you may feel a small prick as the needle is inserted, or feel little to nothing at all. When the needle hits the targeted trigger point, you may feel some pain and muscle twitching. Soreness and/or tightness are also common after a dry needling session, but stretching and working the muscle helps to alleviate any further discomfort. While dry needling may not be the most comfortable treatment, it is a small discomfort compared to living with pain and other debilitating symptoms. Plus, it is an effective and non-invasive option that has helped many overcome chronic pain.
Dry Needling at Equalizer Health
As an out-of-network provider, we don’t accept insurance; however, our dry needling services are available with flexible payment options. We offer package pricing and affordable plans to make dry needling therapy and other recovery services as accessible as possible to as many people as possible. Our personalized, one-on-one treatment approach ensures you get the best care based solely on your needs and goals.
Learn more about our revitalizing recovery services and get started today by scheduling a dry needling therapy appointment with our physical therapy expert! We look forward to hearing from you.