What Are the Benefits From Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a non-invasive therapy that uses small needles to relieve myofascial trigger points. These are knotted muscles that limit movement, reduce range of motion and increase pain.

Dry needling has been proven to decrease Dry Needling Durham NC myofascial trigger point irritability, relieve pain and improve range of motion. It is often used in conjunction with other physical therapy treatment methods for the best results.

1. Pain Relief

Pain relief is one of the most common benefits people experience from dry needling. It can be a quick and effective way to relieve your pain and help you to recover from an injury.

Dry needling releases trigger points in the muscles that cause chronic pain. It also relieves tension in the muscle fibres and helps to build new muscles fibers.

Trigger points can be caused by a variety of factors including stress, injuries, or pinched nerves. They are small clusters of muscle fibers that don’t return to their normal length and function, causing pain in the muscles.

A therapist inserts a needle into the trigger point, releasing it and allowing the muscle to return to its resting length. It also increases blood flow to the muscle, which reduces pain.

2. Relieves Inflammation

Dry needling reduces inflammation and pain by triggering a healing response. It also improves nerve communication and triggers signals in your body to release natural pain relievers, such as endorphins.

When a dry needle is inserted into a muscle, the needle stimulates electrical activity in the area and causes a small twitch. These changes help your muscles recover and move more freely.

It’s important to note that dry needling can be dangerous for certain patients, including those who have blood thinners or a history of bleeding disorders. It should be used only by licensed health care professionals. If you’re curious about how this treatment can help you, contact our office today to learn more. Our expert physical therapists will determine if dry needling is right for you!

3. Increases Blood Flow

Dry needling increases blood flow to irritable muscle knots, also called trigger points. This may boost the body’s healing process by delivering oxygen and nutrients to the affected area, which reduces inflammation and improves your overall recovery.

A recent study found that one session of dry needling significantly increased blood flow and oxygen saturation in a healthy trapezius muscle, compared to the control group. These values remained high throughout the 15-minute recovery period.

4. Relieves Muscle Spasms

Dry needling is a specialized technique of insertion of fine filament needles into neuromuscular tissue. It’s used to treat pain and muscle spasms and improve mobility.

The thin needles pierce the skin and interact with dysfunctional trigger points that cause pain, tenderness, restricted oxygenated blood flow, motor dysfunction, and muscle spasms. The therapist will then move the needle around a bit and feel for a local twitch response.

This twitch is an indication that the needle has triggered the muscle to relax and release tension. Many people report an improvement in their pain and mobility almost immediately after a session. For others, it takes more than one session. Regardless, the results are well worth it!

5. Improves Range of Motion

The needles used in dry needling relax the muscles and improve blood flow to your joints. This helps to carry away acidic wastes that can cause pain and inflammation.

Your physical therapist will also assess your range of motion during your first session, which can help determine where your trigger points are located. Trigger points can limit your movement and lead to a lack of flexibility.

Conclusion

Dry needling can improve your range of motion and speed up recovery time by resetting the muscle at the neurological level. The process is faster and less invasive than manual therapy or massage in which your therapist presses on the muscle.