Dry Needling Works for a Variety of Short-Term and Chronic Pains
Country Roads Physical Therapy offers dry needling in Fairmont, WV; Buckhannon, WV; Wheeling, WV; and Morgantown, WV. Dry needling works with other treatments to relieve both short-term and chronic pains, like lower back and shoulder pain.
This month we’re going to cover the benefits and uses of dry needling. While it is usually used in combination with other treatments, many patients have found this therapy to help reduce muscle and joint pain and stiffness. If your current treatment plan isn’t providing the results you were hoping for, adding dry needling therapy may be right for you.
Keep in mind that not everyone is the same, and this treatment option may not help your current pains. Finding the right physical therapy method takes much trial and error along with a completely individualized treatment plan. Benefits may include better flexibility and range of motion, along with less pain and irritation in the affected area.
What Exactly is Dry Needling?
Dry needling, also called myofascial trigger point dry needling, is a pain treatment that works alongside other therapy options. By using sharp needles, therapists can stimulate trigger points or muscles to release tension. After a few appointments, you may begin to feel less tension and stiffness in problem areas.
While dry needling is a fairly new practice adopted in the last few decades, many patients have found relief from chronic pain. If you want to learn more about dry needling or if it’s right for you, talk with your therapist at Country Roads. Many of our team at each location has experience and knowledge in dry needling and will be happy to work with you.
Your therapist will use sterile needles and protective gear at each appointment to keep you and themselves safe. If you have any concerns, please let your therapist know right away.
How is it Different than Acupuncture?
Now that you have an understanding of what dry needling is, you may be thinking, “That sounds just like acupuncture. What’s the difference?” While both are an invasive treatment using stainless steel needles, that’s where the similarities end.
Healthline describes acupuncture as an “ancient Chinese medicine-based approach to treating a variety of conditions by triggering specific points on the skin with needles.” Many patients choose acupuncture to promote better energy flow or to realign their chi. There are many skeptics of acupuncture, but can also work to treat conditions like allergies, nausea, headaches, and various pains.
Dry needling, a much more recent discovery in pain treatment, focuses on stimulating tight muscles or joints. This treatment can also help to promote better flexibility and range of motion. The Mayo Clinic provides great information on the research and use of dry needling on musculoskeletal pains and disorders.
Conditions and Pains that Dry Needling May Help
Dry needling can help a variety of aches and pains, no matter how extreme or mild they may be. Any pain can put a damper on your life and can get in the way of activities that you love. If you have any of these conditions, this treatment may be effective:
- Migraines
- Tension headaches
- Back pain
- Shoulder pain
- Jaw Pain
- Extremity pain
- Neck pain
- Sports injuries
If you are a current patient at Country Roads, ask your therapist if dry needling may help. We can add this to your current treatment plan.
Treat Back Pain, Shoulder Pain, and Additional Pains
Country Roads Physical Therapy regularly uses dry needling to treat conditions like back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, and other issues. Pain in these areas are sometimes interconnected, causing great and debilitating pain across your body. By treating each area in order to release these trigger points, you may notice a better range of motion and less tension.
There is not much research on the way dry needling works, but studies show that it works well with additional treatments. We offer various treatments like manual therapy, Astym therapy, and aquatic therapy to promote faster healing.
Recovery Time After Your Appointment
While it is an invasive treatment, there is really no down time after dry needling. You may experience some bruising or soreness in the area, but this is all normal. If you have extreme pain in the site, extreme bruising, or find that the treatment is not showing any improvement for your condition, be sure to notify your therapist.
Remember that it’s good to rest after any physical therapy appointment. Slowly introducing physical activity will allow your body to rest while still moving and promoting healing. Talk with your therapist about how much physical movement is right for your condition.
Visit Country Roads Physical Therapy for Dry Needling
Country Roads Physical Therapy offers a wide range of services. We understand that all patients are different and not every treatment will work for you. That is why our therapists work closely with patients to create a personalized treatment plan to address various pains. To learn more about dry needling in Fairmont, WV; Buckhannon, WV; Wheeling, WV; or Morgantown, WV, give Country Roads a call today to speak with your therapist. Physicians may also refer patients with our convenient form.
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Fairmont Offices: (304) 363-0050
Buckhannon: (304) 472-8510
Wheeling: (304) 905-8140
Morgantown: (304) 322-4232
Call your preferred Country Roads Physical Therapy location to learn more about dry needling in Fairmont, WV.