What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is very widely used in Europe, and it has been growing in popularity on the coasts of the United States for physical therapists. It has grown in popularity because of its instant results often experienced. Dry needling can be confused with acupuncture as both techniques utilize the same tool, monofilament needle that is inserted into the skin. The ideology and placement of the needle is what separates the two.
Acupuncture is based on Eastern medicine roots. The placement of the needles is based upon the “Meridians” of the body, and the goal is to bring balance to the body’s “Chi,” energy, or life force. The meridians are located throughout the body. More western acupuncturists believe the placements of the needles can also stimulate the release of endorphins to help decrease pain along the affected meridians. Acupuncturists can also place more than 10 needles and keep them in place for periods of time.
Dry needling is based in treating trigger points. Trigger points are classified in two different types: active trigger points and latent trigger points. Active trigger points are taut bands of muscle (knots) that cause radiating pain symptoms that are typically described as a deep, constant ache. Latent trigger points are taut bands (knots) that only cause referred pain with pressure or touching of the area. For example, when my wife asks for a shoulder rub and I touch one of her trigger points, she about drops to her knees. Sound familiar? Both types of trigger points could be located in any muscle in the body. This could be small muscles in the foot, muscles in the neck, or muscles in the hip. The technique will typically involve some movement of the needle to treat the multiple layers of the muscle. A treatment tool you may be more familiar with is electrical stimulation (e-stim) as many chiropractors and often physical therapists also use e-stim to help treat trigger points too.
Dry needling can be uncomfortable as the trigger points sometimes twitch when the needle touches it but we promise the long term benefits outweigh the short term discomfort of the needle. “When Dr. Gunnar was dry needling my thigh, it was uncomfortable, but he helped me breath through it and now the pain I was experiencing is gone when I run! I would gladly have thirty seconds of discomfort and weeks’ worth of being pain free” says Erin March, a long-time client of Dr. Gunnar Wyatt. Fatigue and muscle soreness are normal post-treatment at times for 24-72 hours, but as these symptoms resolve, the deep, constant ache is typically resolved. “My shoulder tightened up after sleeping wrong one night, and I started having headaches that day. I reached out to Dr. Gunnar quickly as he had dry needled me previously, and I knew how fast it helped. We had an appointment the next day, and I immediately felt better after our session with dry needling. I highly recommend it!” notes Jordan Gustafson, a long-time client of Dr. Gunnar. Other treatments and exercises are utilized following the dry needling to prevent the trigger points from returning. Occasionally the trigger points will require more than one treatment to resolve completely. Coupled with the exercises and movement or posture retraining the trigger points may never return.
Dry needling can be very effective on relieving the pain from three very common issues, headaches, shoulder pain, and sciatica. All three of these issues typically have trigger point involvement and are a cause of the pain symptoms. One of Dr. Gunnar’s coaching friends, Justin, would have neck pain due to the stress of teaching, coaching and running a cattle farm. During the football season, he would have Dr. Gunnar dry needle him every other week to help manage the tightness and headaches he would suffer from. After the season, Justin would focus on his posture in order to not need to be dry needled as often. “I felt as though hundreds of pounds of stress would be taken off my shoulders after being dry needled. Sure, I had some soreness for a day or two after, but even that was much better than the headaches and tightness I was experiencing,” says Justin Huber, head Albia football coach, PE teacher, and cattle farmer.
Do you suffer from a constant ache or pain when pressure is applied to a muscle? Schedule a free 10-minute consultation and see if dry needling is a fit for you!