Dry needling has been used for decades as a method to manage pain. It is a minimally invasive way to ease pain from musculoskeletal conditions that are affecting the muscles and soft connective tissues.
Many people like the dry needling technique because it does not involve medication or surgery. Let’s talk about this special kind of therapy and who can help you achieve relief from chronic pain.
What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a treatment that involves the use of hair-like filiform needles to stimulate muscle tissue and alleviate pain in the myofascial (muscle and soft tissue) trigger points. It is called dry needling because the needle itself is the treatment method, and it contains no medication as injections do.
The difference between this technique and acupuncture is that dry needling aims to relieve pressure in the muscles, whereas acupuncture targets theoretical nerve points. Also, in dry needling, the needle is generally inserted and removed right away, whereas acupuncture needles usually stay in place for a while.
The needle in dry needling is inserted into the skin and directed toward the muscle and connective tissue area. It is often a pain management technique employed by physical therapists and pain physicians as part of a comprehensive holistic treatment program that includes exercise and massage.
How Dry Needling Helps with Chronic Pain
Pain sufferers benefit most from dry needling, especially if the cause of their chronic pain is muscle tightness or strained muscles as a result of overuse or abnormal contraction. The primary goal of dry needling is to release the tension in the muscles and connective tissues.
The practitioner will check for tight areas in the muscle, and these knotted areas are called trigger points. To find trigger points, if you press on your skin where the tightness or pain is felt, you will feel knots under your skin. A physical therapist or pain physician can easily identify the location of the trigger points and insert the dry needle directly into the trigger point for pain relief.
Dry needling may also help patients with other conditions such as:
- Arthritis
- Joint problems
- Disc problems (back pain)
- Tendonitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Migraine headaches
- Jaw and mouth problems
- Nerve pain
Many patients who undergo dry needling experience improvement immediately after a single session. Patients often report both pain relief and an improvement in mobility. Ask your doctor about this simple yet effective pain management method.
Dry Needling for Chronic Pain in Boca Raton
Let us know where it hurts. Here at Kamerlink Pain Institute, our skilled medical team understands how pain can seem to take over your life.
We offer highly advanced interventional pain management techniques, including dry needling (if appropriate in your case), as part of an individualized pain management treatment plan to improve your life and help you get back to doing the things you love.
We are conveniently located at the west end of Camino Real at Powerline Road in Boca Raton. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (561) 404-7667. We look forward to being your healthcare partner in keeping chronic pain tamped down for good.
