What Are The Benefits of Dry Needling?

1. Pain Relief:

Reduction of Muscle Tension: Dry needling targets tight or knotted muscles, known as myofascial trigger points, which can cause pain and discomfort. By releasing these knots, dry needling can reduce muscle tension and alleviate pain.
Endorphin Release: The insertion of needles can stimulate the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, which helps in reducing pain levels.

2. Improved Range of Motion:

Enhanced Muscle Function: By releasing tight muscles and trigger points, dry needling can restore normal muscle function, leading to an improved range of motion.
Reduction of Muscle Stiffness: It helps decrease muscle stiffness, making it easier to move the affected area.

3. Accelerated Recovery:

Increased Blood Flow: The insertion of needles increases blood flow to the affected area, which can promote healing by bringing more oxygen and nutrients to the tissues.
Decreased Inflammation: Dry needling can help reduce inflammation in muscles and soft tissues, facilitating quicker recovery from injuries.

4. Improved Muscle Activation:

Neuromuscular Reeducation: Dry needling can help reset and normalize muscle function, particularly in cases where muscles have become inhibited or underactive due to injury or pain.

5. Reduction of Chronic Pain:

Addressing Chronic Trigger Points: For individuals with chronic pain conditions, dry needling can be particularly effective in targeting long-standing trigger points and reducing persistent pain.
Decreased Pain Sensitivity: Dry needling can reduce the sensitivity of nerves and tissues, leading to a decrease in overall pain perception.

6. Complementary to Other Therapies:

Enhances Other Treatments: Dry needling is often used in conjunction with other physical therapy techniques, such as manual therapy, exercise, and stretching, to enhance overall treatment outcomes.
Versatile Application: It can be used for a variety of conditions, including back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, headaches, plantar fasciitis, and more.

7. Reduced Reliance on Medication:

Non-Pharmacological Pain Management: For individuals looking to manage pain without relying on medications, dry needling offers a drug-free alternative that can be very effective.

8. Customizable Treatment:

Targeted Therapy: Dry needling allows physical therapists to target specific areas of pain and dysfunction, making it a highly customizable treatment option tailored to the individual needs of the patient.

Common Conditions Treated with Dry Needling:

Myofascial pain syndrome
Tendinitis
Chronic pain conditions
Sports injuries
Muscle strains and sprains
Tension headaches
Sciatica

Dry needling can also be accompanied with electrical stimulation (E-STIM) to further enhance it's effects and speed up muscle recovery and function. If you have never received electrical stimulation, fear not! Our therapists will walk and talk you through every step, and ease you into the treatment. A device will be connected to one or more of the inserted needles, and a light electrical current will be transmitted into your muscle. This electrical current will then create a small muscle contraction or twitch that cycles through a "contract then relax" process. This process helps muscles caught in a pain-spasm cycle to loosen up and be retrained to fire properly, while decreasing the release of biochemicals from injury sites that increase your perception of pain. Adding in E-STIM to your dry needling session can also help the positive effects of needling last longer!

*E-STIM is not appropriate or safe for everyone. You should disclose all past and current medical conditions and histories to your therapist prior to receiving this treatment.

Conclusion:

Dry needling is a valuable tool in physical therapy that offers a range of benefits, from pain relief and improved range of motion to accelerated recovery and reduced reliance on medication. When performed by a trained and licensed professional, it can be an effective part of a comprehensive treatment plan for various musculoskeletal conditions.

Bowman Physical Therapy is here to introduce you to the healing capabilities of dry needling! Two of our therapists at our River Oaks location (Royce and Brad) and one of our therapists at our Friendslood location (Joey) are trained and certified in dry needling and ready to get you started on this treatment.

Call us today at your location of choice to make an appointment! OR request an appointment from our website.

River Oaks: 832-409-6390

Friendswood: 281-482-7380