What is Dry Needling Good For?
Dry needling is a relatively recent, noninvasive treatment to relieve pain. It differs from acupuncture, another form of needle therapy. Dry needling is a technique used to relieve pain by pinpointing trigger points – or muscles that are irritable and sore – on the body. It’s often performed by physical therapists.
Relieves pain
Dry needling is an effective pain treatment that can benefit patients suffering from musculoskeletal pain. It has been used to alleviate conditions such as headaches, shoulder and neck discomfort, back and hip discomfort, arthritis, fibromyalgia and TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders.
This procedure uses a thin needle to pierce the skin and muscle tissue in order to address adhesions, trigger points and connective tissue. This helps alleviate pain while expediting recovery time at Health First Wellness Center.
Rebuilds strength
Dry needling is an effective tool for pinpointing knotted muscles and trigger points that are causing you discomfort. In addition, the needles stimulate the release of anti-inflammatory endorphins, which help alleviate pain and increase sensitivity in the treated tissue.
Physical therapists frequently combine dry needling with other forms of physical therapy, such as joint mobilizations (when your therapist moves joints in specific directions), massage and stretching to build strength and flexibility. This combination can expedite recovery time for people who lead an active lifestyle more quickly than other therapies do, particularly those seeking quick return to normal movement after injury.
Restores mobility
Muscles that become tight or knotted can create restrictions in motion that can stop you from doing the things you enjoy most. Dry needling helps remove these restrictions so your body works with less resistance, leading to improved athletic performance.
Speeds up recovery
Dry needling helps expedite recovery by restoring function and relieving pain in muscles and nerves, enabling the body to heal itself more quickly after injuries or surgeries.
Physical therapy is often the initial treatment for most injuries, but adding dry needling to your rehabilitation process can speed up healing and make it more likely that you’ll be able to return to your regular activities quickly.
If you’re interested in learning more about dry needling or other services offered by Health First Wellness Center, feel free to contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.
