Dry needling physical therapy in Livonia is a pain relief technique used by physical therapists to treat muscular pain and improve the joint range of motion (ROM). It is referred to as ‘dry’ needling because there is no use of any medication or a solution to perform the technique.
Dry needling is a therapeutic process that eases acute inflammation in the body and promotes healing. The technique uses thin and tiny sterilized needles inserted into the skin’s areas known to be the trigger points. It is referred to as ‘dry’ needling because there is no use of any medication or a liquid to perform the technique.
What are Trigger Points?
A trigger point is an area of tension in muscle fiber within a larger muscle group. It can affect motion, restrict mobility and disrupt function. Touching a trigger point can initiate pain and spread it to other body parts.
What Conditions Can Dry Needling Work on?
1. IT Band Syndrome
2. Muscle Strains
3. Hip Pain
4. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
5. Plantar Fasciitis
6. Headaches
7. Back Pain
8. Osteoarthritis
9. Sciatica
10.Repeated strain injuries
How Does Dry Needling Work?
When the muscles get tired and are left with no energy, they experience a lack of blood supply. And a reduced or abnormal blood supply means that the muscles don’t receive enough oxygen and nutrients to regain energy and return to their normal state.
This leads to the development of trigger points in those areas of the body. The tissues around these trigger points become more acidic, promoting pain in the affected area.
The dry needle treatment improves the blood flow around those sore muscles and releases tension. This technique removes toxins and excessive acidity from the body and relieves soreness and pain.
The prick sensation of the dry needling process also activates the affected nerve fibers that further stimulate your brain to release endorphins, relieving pain and reducing stress.
Your therapist will start to locate the area that is the trigger point. After finding the target area, they will place the needle directly into your skin. The therapist might move the needle on the sides to get a twitch response from the body. Twitch response means a quick spasm of your muscle. This reaction is a sign that the power is reacting and the treatment is working.
Dry needling physical therapy can show immediate results and improvements for some people. However, showing significant consequences for others may take a few sessions.
What are the Benefits of Dry Needling?
The top benefits of dry needling include the following: –
1. Get Fast Pain Relief
Trigger points are not just in the shoulder, upper back, or neck. These knotted muscles or issues can be present in any part of the body. The pain releases when these knots are relaxed, improving the blood flow. That’s what dry needling does.
The needles release tension, and pressure and deal with inflammation, causing pain. It further improves blood circulation, and with better blood flow, acidic waste gets carried away, and the muscles receive the adequate oxygen and nutrients they require to heal. Many patients receive instant pain relief with the dry needling treatment, while others may require a few more sessions for complete pain relief. It all depends on the number of trigger points in the body.
2. Improved Range of Motion
It is essential to have a complete range of motion. It is even more important for athletes to have a fluid movement and range of motion for better performance. If you have trigger points, you may experience compromised and limited mobility leading to the weakening of the muscles.
By inserting a thin needle into the tight muscle fiber, tension will be released, allowing the muscle to relax and gain flexibility. Dry needling eliminates discomfort, allowing a full range of motion and better focus on the performance for athletes.
3. Accelerated Recovery
Recovery is the longest and the worst part of suffering an injury. While some injuries have to have a more extended recovery period, no matter what, dry needling can still help promote a quick and smooth recovery. Dry needling speeds up healing and helps your muscles regain strength.
After an injury, the body faces a loss of collagen production. Dry needling can stimulate and promote collagen production, which will further help improve the flexibility of the damaged tissue, promoting fast recovery.
When to Avoid Dry Needling?
Dry needling is not meant for everyone. Certain people should avoid dry needling, like: –
1. Pregnant women
2. People who have a fear of needles (trypanophobia)
3. People who just had surgery
4. People with weak or compromised immune systems
FAQS
1. Is dry needling painful?
Most often, the patients experience mild to dull pain during the treatment and for around 24 hours. Some people don’t feel pain when the needle goes in as it is tiny. However, some people may experience a prickly feeling. A certain amount of pain is also experienced while locating the trigger points, which are usually painful to touch.
2. Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
Dry needling focuses on intense stimulation using thin needles on the muscles to release tension and pain. Acupuncture, however, is based on creating balance in the body and restoring the proper flow of energy.
What happens to your body after dry needling?
You can expect low to moderate pain after the dry needling procedure. Drinking plenty of water, stretching, and moving your body can help relieve muscle soreness. If the pain doesn’t go away after some time, it is better to consult your healthcare practitioner.
Dry Needling Physical Therapy Michigan
Dry needling is a moderately painful yet effective treatment for treating physical pains. While it is considered entirely safe, seeking professional advice before treatment is essential. If you are looking for a safe and effective dry needling therapy to promote accelerated recovery, we can help you. Get in touch with us today to discuss the service more and book an appointment with us.
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