Does this sound familiar? You are not exactly in pain, but you are experiencing tightness and stiffness throughout the day, or during your workouts. Are you concerned that something may get strained or injured? Dry Needling may be the perfect intervention for you.
Dry Needling targets the tight points within muscular tissue that produce and refer pain. It is a skilled intervention that uses a thin filiform needle to stimulate underlying myofascial trigger points, which are muscular connective tissues for the management of neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments.
If you are curious about Dry Needling, check out the frequently asked questions below, with answers from expert Physical Therapist Dr. Katherine Rainey, of Advanced Rehab Center.
- What is Dry Needling? Dry Needling is a therapeutic treatment that involves multiple advances of a filament needle into the muscle in an area of the body which produces pain (often referred to as a “Trigger Point”). There is no injectable solution, and the needle which is used is very thin. Dry Needling helps to reduce and restore impairments in body structure and function, leading to improved activity and lifestyle participation.
- Who can Dry Needling help? Dry Needling is an effective treatment for acute and chronic pain, rehabilitation from injury, and injury prevention, with very limited side effects. This technique is unequaled in finding and eliminating neuromuscular dysfunction that leads to pain and functional deficits.
- What does Dry Needling feel like? Usually a healthy muscle creates very little discomfort. Most patients will not even feel the needle penetrating the skin. However, if muscle is sensitive and shortened, the patient may feel a sensation much like a muscle cramp. This is commonly referred to as a “Twitch Response.” Patients soon learn to recognize and welcome this sensation, as it results in deactivating the Trigger Point. This reduces pain and restores normal length and function of the muscle.
- What are common injuries treated by Dry Needling? Dry Needling is an excellent treatment for chronic sports-related injuries (muscular hematomas, tennis elbow, rotator cuff injuries, etc), upper extremity conditions (carpal tunnel syndrome, lateral/medial epicondylitis, impingement syndromes, etc.), and lower extremity conditions (shin splints, achilles tendonopathies, hamstring/groin strain, sciatica, etc.).
- How long does it take for Dry Needling to help? Typically positive results are apparent within 2 to 4 treatment sessions. This can vary, depending on the cause and duration of symptoms, overall health of the patient, and experience level of practitioner.
Dr. Rainey is trained and certified in Advanced Level Trigger Point Dry Needling. She has been practicing the technique for 7 years and has instructed Dry Needling courses at Walter Reed Military Medical Center and an Advanced Clinical Operations course for the Air Force. If you want to learn more about Dry Needling and how it could help you, contact Dr. Rainey and schedule your free consultation.
info@getarctherapy.com | 410-990-9017
