Dry needling is an effective technique used by physiotherapists to treat neuromuscular dysfunction that is causing pain or loss of motion. Dry needling is an outpatient procedure that involves the insertion of fine, sterile and short stainless steel needles (25-gauge or thinner) into the skin and muscle at trigger points. This elicits a muscle twitch response in the muscle, which helps to decrease tightness, increase blood flow and reduce local and referred pain. The goal of dry needling is to relieve pain locally or referred into another area, and/or to improve range of motion. Providers use solid needles that don't contain any kind of medication. This is why the technique is called “dry.” Nothing is injected into your body. Patients who receive treatment report immediate pain relief and see an improvement with movement and focus.
Dry needling is considered to be painless by many. The insertion of the needles doesn’t hurt because they’re pretty sharp and thin. It’s similar to getting blood drawn or a shot. Quick and painless. Naturally, you’ll twitch when the needles pierce through your skin. Your muscles will slightly ache or become sore for a day or two after your session. The after feeling is similar to the soreness experienced after an intense workout.
One session of dry needling typically lasts up to 30-minutes.
