Dry needling is a technique used by physical therapists and other healthcare professionals to improve movement issues and treat musculoskeletal pain. Usually, this unique treatment is combined with other pain management treatments to help provide optimal results. It is commonly utilized to help people who are suffering from back pain.
During dry needling physical therapy, a provider inserts very thin needles into the skin. The needles can be inserted either superficially (just below the dermis) or deeper into the muscle tissue. The goal is to stimulate specific trigger points (which are hyperirritable spots in the body caused by taut muscles and fascial). You can find a provider that offers dry needling physical therapy when you search online for “dry needling physical therapy near me.” Here are a few benefits dry needling can provide when you have back pain.
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Reducing Back Pain Significantly
One of the most desirable benefits of dry needling is its ability to reduce back pain significantly. Research shows that dry needling can loosen up trigger points. Without intervention, trigger points can become tighter and more acidic over time. They can also become more sensitized. That’s why back pain often becomes worse over time instead of getting better on its own.
Increasing Healthy Blood Flow
Dry needling stimulates improved blood flow to trigger points. As normal blood supply is restored to those areas, they receive the nutrients and oxygen they need to return to a resting state. Without adequate blood supply, trigger points continue to stay taut and cause back pain.
Reduced Inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s natural response when something is wrong. If you have tight muscles in your back, your body will likely respond by becoming inflamed in that area. Reducing inflammation can be tricky. You can try to do it with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, but your results will only be temporary. To achieve a lasting reduction in inflammation, you need to loosen up the tight muscles and associated trigger points. Receiving dry needling Midtown physical therapy can help do just that.
What to Expect During Your Procedure
It’s important to know what to expect when receiving dry needling near me. There may be some discomfort associated with the procedure. This is usually limited to a small prick when the needle enters your skin. You may also feel slight pain when the needle is inserted into the trigger point. The targeted muscle may also twitch and get temporarily tight or sore. However, stretching and moving the area to maintain blood flow can minimize your symptoms.
Most people find that the discomfort associated with dry needling is much less severe than the back pain caused by the trigger points themselves. Plus, the relief you feel after your dry needling appointment will be well worth any temporary procedural discomfort you might experience.
If you’ve tried and failed to get relief from your back pain, dry needling physical therapy may be the solution you need. This unconventional, yet effective physical therapy technique may target the source of your pain so you can finally experience much-desired relief.