First of all, let’s address the elephant in the room. We know Dry Needling sounds scary and painful. Despite its scary name, however, many patients benefit from this often-overlooked therapy. Not only are the benefits of Dry Needling outstanding, but our patients often report no pain and very minimal discomfort during treatment. The “Dry” part of the name simply means that instead of injecting something into a patient, the needles contain no medicine or fluid at all. They are similar to acupuncture needles and their benefits are far more accessible for patients than “wet” needles.
WHAT IS DRY NEEDLING?
Mayo Clinic describes Dry Needling as “a treatment performed by skilled, trained physical therapists, certified in the procedure. A thin monofilament needle penetrates the skin and treats underlying muscular trigger points for the management of neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments.” In more simple terms a very small and thin needle is inserted to target trigger points in the body to send relief to areas of the body that need it quickly. While Dry Needling therapy is often performed by a physical therapist, Dr. Dave earned his certification in Dry Needling to better serve patients in Erie, Longmont, and all surrounding areas. He was one of the first 15 practitioners in the world to earn the Structure and Function Dry Needling (SFDN) degree. The SFDN is earned by completing a rigorous education program. A major staple of the training teaches practitioners how to avoid pain fibers and get down to the muscles when inserting the needle. Several patients have had to ask whether the needle was even inserted at all!
WHAT CAN DRY NEEDLING TREAT?
Dry Needling relieves muscle stiffness, soreness, tension, and metabolic waste chemicals. It causes increased blood flow and oxygen to a targeted area and flushes away harmful toxins that develop in stiff and sore areas that the body tries to protect. Essentially, Dry Needling is like calling 911 to an address for an emergency. The needle acts as a phone call alerting the brain that there is a problem at a specific site or address in the body. The brain and body react by focusing healing on the area with the lesion.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DRY NEEDLING?
-
Pain Relief
While counterintuitive based on the idea of having needles inserted, Dry Needling sends quick pain relief to patients who have chronic pain in their muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments, and more.
-
Increased Mobility
Many afflictions and chronic pain cause patients to lose mobility over time. This begins with the initial pain and the problem grows over time because the muscles tighten due to lack of use. Dry Needling increases the blood flow to an area and alleviates the soreness and stiffness. This allows patients to get back to their physical activities more quickly.
-
Faster Recovery Time
The body often responds to an injury by flooding the impacted area with metabolic waste to protect it from further damage. Metabolic waste is another term for chemicals left behind from metabolic processes. This waste includes lactic acid which causes the soreness and stiffness many athletes and injured patients are accustomed to. By targeting trigger points in the body and increasing blood flow and oxygen to these areas, we can eliminate the waste so patients can focus on their active recovery.
WHEN TO CONSIDER DRY NEEDLING?
Patients should consider Dry Needling if they experience chronic pain, stiffness, or soreness. It’s also a great option for athletes who have been injured and are looking to improve their recovery time. Another great reason to consider Dry Needling is if your normal treatment and recovery have reached a plateau. Patients often find they can push through this plateau or speed up their recovery by utilizing the benefits of Dry Needling. It’s important to note that Dry Needling attaches to an existing treatment plan and should only be performed by a certified practitioner.
SUMMARY
While dry needling sounds scary and painful it’s actually growing in popularity throughout the world due to its incredible benefits. Not only do most patients feel no pain, it helps patients get pain relief, increase their mobility, and recover from injury faster. All this is done holistically and requires no surgery, medication, or otherwise. It’s a scientific practice that utilizes the body’s own response mechanisms to work more efficiently for the patient. If you’re interested in learning more about Dry Needling check out our dedicated service page here. If you’d like to schedule your consultation for Dry Needling treatment, contact us online or give us a call at 303-828-3000 or 303-772-1950.
