Dry Needling

We get a lot of questions about dry needling. What is it? What does it do? Does it hurt? Will it help me? Dry needling is western medicine’s version of acupuncture. We use acupuncture needles to perform dry needling, but the similarities between dry needling and acupuncture end there. “Dry” refers to the fact that there is no medication within the needle. The manipulation of the needle is the “medicine” so to speak. We place needles in tight tissue, painful tissue, and injured areas that have become chronic. Have you ever felt a knot in your upper muscle? Some people call that a “trigger point.” You can get them throughout your body. They can be painful and can also cause referred pain. Dry needling is the most effective way to get rid of it. We place a needle within the area and move the needle around to elicit a twitch response. You can think about the twitching as the tightness releasing. I can’t say that it is a sensation free procedure because we are sticking needles in your body. But, it is very tolerable. It is more “weird” and “startling” than anything else. Plus, the results make any discomfort you feel during the procedure worth it! One of our favorite uses for dry needling is helping to heal chronic injuries. If you have a pain that has been lingering around for a while, your body starts to accept that as its new norm. It stops trying to heal the area. Dry needling can jump start the healing process again. It is like saying, “hey body, pay attention to me!” In a nutshell, dry needling helps to augment the body’s own healing processes. Best way to know if dry needling can help you is to come and see us! We can evaluate the area to see if dry needling should be a part of your treatment plan. To schedule your Dry Needling, please fill out the contact form on our 'Contact Us' page. One of our dedicated therapists will promptly reach out to arrange your appointment. Alternatively, feel free to send us a text or give us a call at 248-221-1897!