Dry Needling by a Certified Physical Therapist: What You Should Know
Dry needling is a technique physical therapists use to treat pain and movement impairments. The physical therapist inserts a “dry” needle, one without medication or injection, into areas of the muscle. As part of their education, Kinetix Physical Therapy Physical Therapists are well trained in anatomy, movement and the treatment of the body. The physical therapists who perform dry needling obtain additional specific education, training and certification.
Dry needling is not acupuncture. Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine and can only be performed by acupuncturists. Dry needling is modern Western medicine and is supported by evidence-based research.
Why Dry Needling?
When physical therapists use dry needling, it is typically part of a larger treatment plan.
Dry needling trigger points to relieve pain or improve range of motion. Research suggests that dry needling can also improve pain control and reduce muscle tension. Study findings also show that dry needling can help with the way our nerves interact with our muscles. This can help speed up a person’s ability to return to active rehab.
Dry needling is a safe technique for treating many musculoskeletal conditions, including shoulder pain, rotator cuff pain, biceps tendinitis, iliotibial band syndrome, Achilles tendinitis, low back pain, tennis elbow, whiplash or neck pain, headaches, muscle strains, hip pain and temporomandibular pain, also called TMJ.
What Is a Trigger Point?
A trigger point is a small, highly sensitive area within a muscle. These trigger points are a common occurrence in people of all ages and often develop due to things like stress, injury, overuse, or poor posture. Trigger points can be very tender and touching them can cause pain or discomfort in other parts of the body.
What Kind of Needles Are Used?
When physical therapists perform dry needling, they use gloves and a very thin needle. The needle enters the body through the skin and is aimed directly at the trigger points that a patient and their physical therapist identify together. By using the needle in this way, a physical therapist can target trigger points causing pain and resolve them faster than traditional methods.
Don’t worry, you’re in good hands with the Kinetix Physical Therapy Physical Therapists. Our goal is to get you out of pain fast. Call today for an evaluation and see if Dry Needling is right for you.
Credit: Some content in this article is sourced from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
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