Dry Needling: Benefits for Pain Relief
By Robin McDaniel, PT, DPT
Dry needling is a therapeutic technique that has gained popularity in recent years for its effectiveness in managing pain and promoting healing. Many people think of it when they think of acupuncture, but dry needling is rooted in Western medicine rather than traditional Chinese Medicine. It is used to target myofascial pain.
What is Dry 
Needling?
Dry needling involves the insertion of thin, solid needles into specific trigger points in the muscles or fascia. These ‘trigger points’ are often tight bands of muscle that can cause pain, discomfort, and a range of other symptoms, including reduced range of motion or spasm. This is performed by trained healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists. In order to perform dry needling in Arizona, physical therapists must take additional coursework to become certified and present documentation to the Arizona Board of Physical Therapy. Based on this training, your health care provider may have certain areas they feel confident to treat such as ribs, upper (thoracic) spine, and pelvic floor.
How Does It Work?
The primary goal of dry needling is to release muscle tension and alleviate pain. When a needle is inserted into a trigger point, it can create a local twitch response, which may help relax the muscle and improve blood flow to the area. These twitch responses can be somewhat uncomfortable and feel like a muscle spasm or a cramp but they are a good thing because they can increase healing of damaged tissue and reduce inflammation.
Additionally, dry needling may activate the body’s natural pain-relief mechanisms. By stimulating the release of endorphins and other neurotransmitters, it can promote a sense of well-being and further reduce pain perception.
Benefits of Dry Needling for Pain Management
- Targeted Pain Relief: Dry needling directly targets painful muscle knots and trigger points, making it an effective option for localized pain, such as neck, back, and shoulder pain.
- Speed: Based on how your brain responds with endorphins and neurotransmitter release, certain patients are deemed ‘responders’ or ‘non-responders’. Usually you will know within 1-2 sessions whether you are a responder and there is usually an immediate improvement if you are!
- Reduced Muscle Tension: The technique can help release tight muscles and restore normal function, leading to improved mobility and reduced discomfort.
- Enhanced Blood Flow: By promoting increased circulation to the affected area, dry needling can aid in the healing process and reduce muscle soreness.
- Improved Range of Motion: Patients often experience a greater range of motion after treatment, which can be especially beneficial for athletes and individuals recovering from injuries.
- Complementary Therapy: Dry needling is usually only one component of physical therapy. After you’ve relaxed the muscle, it might be important for you to strengthen it or for your PT to give you additional stretches to maintain this flexibility and pain relief
- Minimal Side Effects: While some patients may experience soreness at the needle insertion site, side effects are generally mild and transient, making it a safe option for many individuals. Your physical therapist should let you know if there are any other concerns for certain regions of the body such as along the ribs or into your upper back.
Who Can Benefit from Dry Needling?
Dry needling can be beneficial for a wide range of individuals, including:
- Athletes: To address sports-related injuries and improve performance.
- Office Workers: To alleviate pain from prolonged sitting and poor posture.
- Post-Surgery Patients: To aid in recovery and manage pain.
- Chronic Pain Sufferers: To explore additional pain relief options.
Dry needling is a valuable tool in pain management, offering targeted relief for muscle tension and trigger point pain. As with any treatment, you will first meet with a physical therapist for an evaluation to determine if it would be an appropriate pain relief method for you. You will also be provided with a comprehensive treatment plan to maximize your improvement following the dry needling.
As a tool, I love dry needling because it can significantly enhance quality of life by reducing pain and improving functional mobility. Schedule an evaluation and ask me if it’s a right fit from you!