What is Trigger Point Dry Needling?
Have you heard of dry needling before? Here is a brief synopsis…
WHAT IS IT?
Trigger Point Dry Needling is the insertion of acupuncture needles directly into "dysfunctional" muscles and/or trigger points in muscles. Basically areas of muscle that are stiff, tight and painful with movement and pressure
WHO DOES IT?
It is performed by a licensed physical therapist that is certified and credentialed for trigger point dry needling.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
There are two thoughts behind the success with dry needling.
Tight muscles can have a build up of excessive “energy” potential in them. This can cause the muscles to get tight and have small little knots called “trigger points.”
#1: We can utilize Electrical Stimulation with the needles to contract the muscles and “wear them out” or expend the excessive energy.
#2: By inserting a needle into the muscle, we are telling the muscle it is injured and it now needs to start healing itself. This can assist a chronic condition to go back to acute and assist the healing process to start again.
WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE?
From personal experience, you may feel a slight pinch to nothing at all!!!
This is TOTALLY not like getting an injection or having blood drawn. We utilize a MUCH, MUCH smaller needle!!!
You may feel a slight contraction, pulling, or tightening of the muscle when the needle is inserted into the muscle but that is not painful.
The electrical stimulation is not painful and feels a little electrical or buzzy, then turns into a light tapping as the muscles contract.
WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR THIS?
Individuals with tight muscles that have trigger points in them or painful movement due to this stiffness. Trigger points may refer pain into other areas of the body as well.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
This is a medical treatment and to be done properly, one will need a physical therapy evaluation to determine if you are appropriate for dry needling. The first visit usually takes an hour with evaluation and treatment. For treatments, you will need to be assessed prior to coming in and this takes 30-45 minutes per treatment session.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO WORK?
Most everyone feels a change immediately. I have found the best results after the first visit usually occurs 12-24 hours later and lasts 3-5 days. When it starts to bother you again, we usually see that it is only at 60% or less of your previous symptoms.
HOW LONG DO THE RESULTS LAST?
After the first treatment, the results can last around 3-5 days, after the second session 7-10 days, and after the third 2-4 weeks.
You have to understand though that you must find the root cause of the problem. Dry Needling alone is not a long-term solution. This is why dry needling works well with PT and corrective exercises.
Prevention of symptom return is key here!!!
WHY DON’T I JUST DO MASSAGE?
I personally believe that massage therapy is amazing!!!
It is awesome to follow up a dry needling session with a massage by a licensed massage therapist.
When it comes to the tricky tight painful spots that need much deep tissue…… dry needling takes away the need for trauma on the muscle. We can do dry needling and take down the recovery and soreness time by 3-5 days!!! Pretty cool!!
ARE THERE SIDE EFFECTS?
The majority of individuals feel “fatigued” in the muscles that were treated. Most everyone has some slight soreness to moderate soreness depending on the area, tightness, treatment. Sometimes you may bruise. We like to use kinesiotape to help aid in assistance of the muscle. We do ask you do not do a lot of activity on the muscle group the rest of the day, as we have fatigued the muscle and it needs to recover.
If you need help with injuries, training and pain or want to give Trigger Point Dry Needling a try you can always reach out to us!
Call or text us at 850-912-9203 or email: Info@starkperformancept.com