What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a therapeutic technique that involves inserting very thin needles into muscle tissue to alleviate myofascial pain. This type of pain commonly results from the formation of taut muscle bands known as trigger points. These trigger points are not only painful or tender at their source, but they can also refer pain along nerve pathways to distant areas of the body.
Inserting a needle into a trigger point increases blood flow and promotes the relaxation of the knotted muscle fibers. This process helps to interrupt the cycle of pain and dysfunction.
Although dry needling may appear similar to acupuncture, the two techniques differ significantly. Acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine and is used to treat a broad range of conditions by restoring energy balance along meridians. In contrast, dry needling is rooted in Western medical principles and targets specific neuromuscular issues, such as trigger points or myofascial adhesions.
Conditions Treated by Dry Needling
Because referred pain plays a role in so many chronic pain syndromes, dry needling can prove a highly versatile healing modality. Almost all musculoskeletal disorders can be significantly helped with dry needling. However, our top five conditions that are most requested, respond best, and that we have had very good success with dry needling are:
- Headaches
- Shoulder pain
- Hip pain
- Knee osteoarthritis pain
- Plantar fasciitis
- TMJ dysfunction
Also, dry needling's ability to relieve soft tissue pain also makes it highly effective for common overuse or strain-related disorders, including repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
What to Expect From a Dry Needling Treatment
Similar to acupuncture, the needles employed for dry needling sessions are exceptionally thin. This means that the needles themselves shouldn't cause significant pain, although you may experience some discomfort on certain points. While dry needling is considered safe for the vast majority of people, we may recommend alternatives if you are pregnant, recovering from recent surgery, or taking blood thinners. Contact Northwest Reno Chiropractic at (775) 324-3700 to learn more.