Dry needling is a method physical therapists use to treat pain and movement impairments. The physical therapist inserts a dry needle into muscle areas without medication or injection. Other terms include trigger point dry needling and intramuscular manual therapy. If you are looking for the best dry needling in Cincinnati, Baker chiropractic is always there to help you relieve pain.
Physical therapists use dry needling as part of a larger treatment plan. Dry needling can release or inactivate trigger points to relieve pain or improve the range of motion. Our best dry needling in Cincinnati improves pain control and reduces muscle tension.
As per the studies, dry needling can normalize dysfunctions of the motor end plates, from which nerve impulses get transmitted to muscles. This can help speed up the patient’s getting back to active rehab. As part of their entry-level education, physical therapists are well-educated in anatomy and the treatment of the body.
What is a trigger point?
A trigger point is a taut band of skeletal muscle within a big muscle group. Trigger points can be kind to the touch. Touching a trigger point may refer to pain in other body parts.
What conditions can dry needling treat?
Dry needling is always used as a part of an overall plan that will likely include some exercise, manual therapy, heat therapy, and education. Dry needling increases the range of motion that may be limited due to muscle tightness or scar tissue. It has proven beneficial in treating many medical conditions, including:
- Joint problems
- Disk problems
- Tendinitis
- Migraine and headaches
- Repetitive motion disorders
- Jaw and mouth problems
- Back or neck pain
- Tennis elbow
- Whiplash
- Myofascial pain
- Spinal problems
- Night cramps
- Phantom pain
- Post-herpetic neuralgia
What kind of needles are used?
Dry needling involves a thin filiform needle. The needle sticks to the skin and restores underlying myofascial trigger points and muscular and connective tissues. The needle allows a physical therapist to target tissues they cannot reach with their hands.
Physical therapists wear gloves and personal protective equipment when dry needling. The used sterile needles are disposed of in a medical sharps collector.
How dry needling works
Dry needling targets your trigger points, or knotted muscles, to prompt them to contract and then relax- because the muscle tightness is causing the pain. These trigger points can develop in the force due to overuse, lack of use, or trauma to the issue.
Pressing down on a trigger point with your finger can be highly uncomfortable because these are susceptible spots on the muscle tissues. The treatment helps to release tight muscles, ease joint pain, and improve blood flow to the affected area. By inserting the hair-thin needle into the muscle membrane, your body will respond to the stimulation with a twitch response, demonstrating a release of the trigger point.
Inserting the needle is accepted to interrupt pain signals. After removing the hand, the process will be repeated at other trigger points as needed.
Who should not have dry needling treatments?
Not everyone is a candidate for dry needling. Pregnant women, people who fear needles, and patients with compromised immune systems or skin conditions should consider an alternative treatment for their myofascial pain.
Any patient who is considering dry needling should consult their doctor first. Any side effects from the treatment should be reported to your physical therapist or physician.
Are there side effects from dry needling?
Most adverse effects have been minor and include:
Soreness during or after the treatment
- Bleeding at the place where the needle was pushed in
- Fainting
- Fatigue
- Bruising
A rare side effect from improper needle insertion could be a significant organ puncture, such as a pneumothorax caused by puncturing the lung through needle insertion in the chest.
Dry needling therapy in Cincinnati
Dry needling is often used to supplement other physical therapy techniques and is rarely a standalone treatment. Dry needling is also referred to as trigger point dry needling, intramuscular manual therapy, or intramuscular stimulation. Practitioners with proper training and certification know which areas of the body to avoid, such as over the lungs or other organs that can be punctured by going too deep.
We are ready to answer your questions if you consider dry needle therapy. Our physical therapists at Renew Medical Centre promote healing and recovery from various injuries and conditions, including chronic muscle pain.
To make an appointment, please call our friendly staff today or fill out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to being your therapy partner in your quest toward total wellness.