Often when patients come in for their evaluation, we here at Pure Physio can evaluate if there is reduced function of the body region of interest and determine what underlying cause is creating that reduction in function. There are multiple reasons for bringing up the possibility of dry needling throughout someone’s plan of care such as:
- Reduction in mobility of a certain joint
- Pain with use of the body part
- Chronic pain levels
Reduction of Mobility:
Dry needling can play an integral part in regaining full range of motion for a patient. If the ligament, tendons, or muscle tissue surrounding a joint has not been used and stretched to its full capacity, there is a large possibility the joint will never go through full range of motion due to this limitation. With dry needling, the needle can get into the area of choice, create a cascading effect of neuron transfers at a microscopic level, and allow the tissue to return to its normal elasticity.
Pain use of body part:
Dry needling in terms of pain with activity is used very frequently. When pain levels rise while trying to use that particular muscle, that is usually an indication that there are trigger points embedded in that muscle. A trigger point is a small, localized hyper-irritated spot of a taught muscle fiber (what most people refer to as a muscle knot). When stimulated by the input of the needle, an analgesic response is evoked from the muscle fiber and pain levels are reduced. Dry needling also evokes a twitch response of this small, irritated spot in the muscle, causing a release of neurons that promote normalized muscle tone and reduced neural input.
This in turn allows the patient to use the muscle again without pain.
Chronic pain levels:
Dry needling can be used for patients that have been experience pain for months and years with no relief. When the body is attempting to process high pain levels for extensive periods of time, the nervous system will undergo something called Central Sensitization. This is defined as an increased input of neurons within the central nervous system, causing increased pain levels that are above a normal response to that stimulus. When working through neural pathways with dry needling, the nerves will release neurons to the muscles creating a dull ache sensation, then release the response. Over time, this allows the nervous system to send less impulses to the same stimulus, allowing pain levels to decrease for the patient all together.
In Closing
Dry needling is a promising technique that can offer relief for some people with chronic musculoskeletal conditions. If you are considering dry needling, a physical therapist who specializes in this technique. They can help you understand if this treatment might be beneficial for you based on your specific condition and overall health status.
Remember, while dry needling can provide relief from certain types of pain, it is not a cure-all solution. It should be used as part of a comprehensive approach to managing your health and well-being.
In conclusion, current evidence suggests that Dry Needling can be a useful tool in managing certain types of chronic pain when administered by trained professionals. Contact the knowledgeable therapists at Pure Physio for more information or to schedule an appointment.