How Does Dry Needling Work?
A dry needle is inserted into a muscle at a site called a “trigger point”, causing the muscle to contract and then relax. This process helps to “reset” the nervous system and help the muscle and surround areas to heal.
Is Dry Needling the Same as Acupuncture?
Not really. Both practices use needles that are termed “dry” because they aren’t filled or deliver medication. Dry needling is based on Western Medicine practices that commonly treat muscle and soft tissue concerns. Acupuncture is based on Eastern Medicine, treating body energies and meridian points. Practitioners receive different training and use different techniques to administer the needles.
What Does Dry Needling Do?
Dry needling can be used to treat many muscle, joint and soft tissue concerns. It helps to:
- Reduce pain
- Reset the nervous system
- Increase blood flow
- Begin tissue repair
- Improve muscle function
- Increase range of motion
- Reduce inflammation
- Improve activities of daily living (functional mobility)
Who Benefits from Dry Needling?
Anyone can benefit from dry needling but if you’re experiencing any of the following, consider talking with our physical therapist about a treatment.
- Low back pain
- Chronic pain
- Sciatica (pain that runs from your butt down the back of your leg)
- Sacral-iliac pain
- Pelvic/hip instability with pregnancy
- Migraines/headaches
- Hip pain
Common Side Effects of Dry Needling
There can be side effects from dry needling. They include:
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Pain
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Fatigue
Who Should Not Have Dry Needling?
- Pregnant people in their first trimester
- Bleeding disorders
- Immune system concerns
- Local infections
- Tumor
- Pacemaker
Dry needling is not recommended for use on nipples, the belly button, or external genitalia.
Learn More
To learn more about dry needling and if it’s appropriate for you, call 763-587-7000 for an appointment with our physical therapists, Karissa Peterson, PT, DPT, and Karissa Stensgard, DPT.