What is Dry Needling?
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Benefits:Dry needling may help to relieve some muscle pain and stiffness. It can help to decrease trigger points within a muscle to allow for improved flexibility, range of motion, and function. Dry needling is also a drug-free treatment option. Often, patients feel some immediate relief of symptoms.
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How it works:The physical therapist will clean the area before inserting the sterile thin filiform needles. Based on the area being treated, the number of needles will vary patient to patient. The physical therapist wears gloves and other personal protective equipment consistent with Standard Precautions and OSHA standards. The Stim Machine TENS unit may be hooked up to the needles to help with pain relief by stimulating blood flow and providing an analgesic effect to the area. The entire process takes 10-15 minutes.
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What to expect:Initially, you can expect to have a comprehensive assessment to include a movement screen, strength assessment, and palpation of your muscles. This will help to create your individualized treatment plan, with dry needling being one component of your care. At your subsequent visits, dry needling will be performed as part of your treatment. If the patient can’t handle the procedure due to anxiety, pain, etc., the needling session can be stopped at any time.
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Dry Needling FAQs:
Does dry needling hurt?
You may feel some form of temporary discomfort. The initial insertion of the needle is very minimal and is less invasive than a vaccination or having your blood drawn. You may feel a twitch in the muscle or a deep cramp sensation that does not last long (15-30 seconds).
How often should someone receive dry needling?
The number and frequency of dry needling sessions will vary case by case. Often, a person will feel some relief of symptoms after 2-3 sessions.
Will you be sore after dry needling?
You may be sore initially after your dry needling treatment. Soreness can last for 24-48 hours. The soreness is often similar to muscle soreness after a hard workout at the gym.
How long is a dry needling session?
Dry needling is one component of a physical therapy session. A typical full treatment session lasts approximately one hour to include manual therapy techniques, corrective exercises, and other treatment deemed necessary by your physical therapist. The dry needling itself lasts less than 15-minutes.
How can I get started?
If you are interested in dry needling, please contact us for an evaluation. Effective July 1, 2023 in the state of Virginia, you are no longer required to have a prescription from your doctor to receive dry needling services. At your first PT appointment, your physical therapist will determine whether dry needling is an appropriate form of treatment for your specific injury or type of pain.
Does dry needling hurt?
You may feel some form of temporary discomfort. The initial insertion of the needle is very minimal and is less invasive than a vaccination or having your blood drawn. You may feel a twitch in the muscle or a deep cramp sensation that does not last long (15-30 seconds).
How often should someone receive dry needling?
The number and frequency of dry needling sessions will vary case by case. Often, a person will feel some relief of symptoms after 2-3 sessions.
Will you be sore after dry needling?
You may be sore initially after your dry needling treatment. Soreness can last for 24-48 hours. The soreness is often similar to muscle soreness after a hard workout at the gym.
How long is a dry needling session?
Dry needling is one component of a physical therapy session. A typical full treatment session lasts approximately one hour to include manual therapy techniques, corrective exercises, and other treatment deemed necessary by your physical therapist. The dry needling itself lasts less than 15-minutes.
How can I get started?
If you are interested in dry needling, please contact us for an evaluation. Effective July 1, 2023 in the state of Virginia, you are no longer required to have a prescription from your doctor to receive dry needling services. At your first PT appointment, your physical therapist will determine whether dry needling is an appropriate form of treatment for your specific injury or type of pain.