What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is part of Western medicine and is often confused with acupuncture, which is based on traditional Chinese medicine, the two are actually quite different. Dry needling is a technique performed by a physical therapist to treat pain and movement impairments by inserting a “dry” needle, with or without medication, into areas of the muscle. It's also referred to as trigger point dry needling or intramuscular manual therapy.
Understanding Trigger Points
One of the most important concepts in dry needling is the trigger point, a tender, taut area found within a larger muscle group. It's connected to the body in a way that touching it can refer sensation to other parts of the body, which is part of what makes it a useful treatment target.
Who Performs It and How
Physical therapists who perform dry needling have proper education in anatomy and treatment of the body as part of their entry-level training, plus specific postgraduate education and certification to perform dry needling. Before treatment, it's worth knowing your physical therapist's educational background and experience.
The tool used is a thin filiform needle, which penetrates the skin and stimulates underlying myofascial trigger points and connective tissue, allowing the therapist to reach trigger points that aren't accessible by hand. Physical therapists sanitize their needles, wear gloves and other personal protective equipment, and dispose of used sterile needles properly in a medical sharps collector to keep the procedure safe and clean.
Benefits and Outcomes
Dry needling is typically one part of a larger treatment plan for patients with movement impairment. Research suggests it can release and relieve pain and improve range of motion by inactivating trigger points. Patients undergoing dry needling can expect improved pain control and reduced muscle tension, and some studies suggest it can help normalize dysfunction in motor end plates, the structures responsible for transmitting nerve impulses to muscles, helping patients return more quickly to active rehabilitation.
When Dry Needling Isn't Appropriate
Physical therapists don't perform dry needling under certain circumstances: when a patient is unable to give consent due to communication, cognitive, or age-related factors; during a medical emergency or acute medical condition; over an area or limb affected by lymphedema, since this can raise the risk of infection or cellulitis; when a patient has a phobia of needles; or when a patient is unwilling to proceed out of fear or personal belief.