What is dry needling?

is dry needling the same as acupuncture?

No, dry needling is not acupuncture.  While both dry needling and acupuncture use monofiliment needles to cause positive changes in the body, they are performed by different practitioners who have different training.

Dry needling provided by physical therapists is based on Western medicine principles and research to treat local neuro-muscular conditions.  Theory is based on neuro-muscular anatomy, physiology and research based pain models.  Therapy dry needle assessments evaluate pain patterns, posture, movement patterns, function, and orthopedic tests.  Needle insertion points are determined by signs such as muscle tone, edema, and neuro-anatomy.  Therapists reassess the subjective and objective effects after the treatment.

Dry needling treats muscle and nerve tissues, and its goal is to reduce pain, reduce trigger points and restore function.  It is rarely a standalone treatment, but rather, is a part of a broader physical therapy plan of care.

By contrast, acupuncture is based in traditional Chinese medicine and is performed by acupuncturists to work on balancing energy, or “qi”, and whole body systems.  In traditional acupuncture, medical examinations/ diagnosis are not applicable.  Needle insertion is according to Chinese philosophy of non-scientific meridians, and objective changes are not immediately anticipated.  Many people experience excellent results with traditional acupuncture for a wide array of physical, systemic, and emotional concerns.  The physical therapists at McKinney Physical Therapy are NOT licensed acupuncturists and do NOT practice acupuncture, use acupuncture theory, meridians, diagnostic techniques, or terminology.

Why would i want to include dry needling in my physical therapy plan?

Dry needling has been shown to reduce pain relief in 87% of sites needled. Results of dry needling include a decrease in subjective complaints, increased range of motion, a reduction in the need for medication, and decreased stiffness. It can be a great way to ”jump start” the healing process.

How many treatments will i need?

Your treatment plan will depend on factors such as your diagnosis, the duration of your condition, your natural self healing ability, etc. However, you should notice positive effects after two or three treatments. Typically, 4-10 treatments are required for optimal results in the average client.  Dry needling is frequently utilized in early therapy sessions to break the pain cycle and increase your tolerance to other interventions.

how is dry needling used in the “big picture” of my physical therapy treatment plan?

Most likely, dry needling will be just one modality used as part of your holistic physical therapy treatment plan, and will be used in conjunction with the variety of manual therapy techniques and prescriptive exercises to restore optimal physical function.

We address various neuro-muscular conditions such as muscle imbalances, postural dysfunctions, muscular flexibility limitations, strength deficits, swollen or stiff joints and many other conditions. Most of these conditions will require much more than just dry needling.

What are some special considerations regarding dry needling?

The following conditions will be treated with care, but are not absolute contraindications:  Pregnancy, Low blood pressure, Extreme frailty, less than six weeks post-surgery, Malignant tumors, or Blood thinners

how can i use dry needling in my pre/post athletic performance?

Dry needling can be used for both sports pre-performance and for non-injury post-sport recovery. For sports performance, the treatment is typically performed two to three days before the event. The purpose of the per-performance session is to normalize the body’s muscle tone and postural alignment so that the athlete has optimal muscle length.

Sport recovery sessions are performed as soon as possible within zero to three days after the event. The focus of this session is to normalize/ reduce swelling in the stressed muscles and accelerate the body’s healing process.

is dry needling covered by insurance?

No, most insurances choose not to cover dry needling.

are the needles sterile?

Yes, we only use sterile disposable needles. Physical therapists wear gloves and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when dry needling, consistent with Standard Precautions, Guide to Infection Prevention for Outpatient Settings, and OSHA standards. The sterile needles are disposed of in a medical sharps collector.

is the procedure painful?

The needles used are very thin, solid, and flexible. This allows for the them to be pushed through the skin versus cutting it. This helps reduce any discomfort that may occur with the procedure. Many times, people do not even feel the insertion at all. However, it is typical that insertion into pathological tissues is a bit more uncomfortable and you may experience an ache or cramping or shock sensation. Sometimes, insertion causes a muscle twitch- this is actually desirable and therapeutic response.

We will make every effort to make your experience comfortable and therapeutic. 

How will i feel after dry needling treatment?

This will vary, however, many patients experience immediate relief of their symptoms and an increase in range of motion. Many patients report being sore after the procedure.  This is often described as muscle soreness over the area treated and into the area of referred symptoms.  This soreness typically lasts from a few hours to up to two days. 

It is possible that the treatment may temporarily increase your symptoms.  This is not unusual, as it accelerates your body’s natural healing process.  However, if this continues past the 1-2 day window, inform your PT so that they can modify your next treatment. Mild bruising may occur at the needling sites and is more prevalent in certain parts of the body. Larger bruising may also occur, but is less common.  Many people feel very relaxed after their treatments.