Pain Relief with Dry Needle Therapy

21 Apr Pain Relief with Dry Needle Therapy

 

Dry Needle Therapy

When you think of dry needle therapy, you probably think of acupuncture. Dry needle therapy is similar, but also very different. It is sometimes called trigger-point dry needling (TDN) or intramuscular stimulation (IMS). Needles are inserted into the muscles at the site of knots and trigger points to relieve many symptoms. It is called “dry needle” therapy because no medicine or liquid is injected into the body. With insertion, tension from knots and trigger points will be disrupted through a “twitch response”, and the body will send blood and nutrients to the area, causing healing to occur more quickly. This painless procedure is very effective for reducing pain and tension from trigger points that hinder your athletic performance and overall health. Patients have seen relief with: headaches, sciatica, hip, knee, neck, back, and shoulder pain, strains and sprains, arthritis and more. Our practitioners at Mile HIgh Spine & Pain Center are highly trained in all aspects of dry needling to ensure that your body functions better, is in less pain, and you leave the office a new person.

Dry Needling

Dry needling is similar to acupuncture, but also different because of the reasons it is used and how it is used. Needles are inserted into the muscles at the site of knots and trigger points to relieve symptoms of arthritis, muscular tension, strain, or spasm, ligament tension, and irritation in the nerves. Dry needling is called “dry” because there is no injection delivered to the muscles or tissues where the needle is placed. The needles are also very thin, so thin in fact, that they can be bent with simple pressure. Ohio State University studies tell us that it is thought that dry needling “changes the way nerves and muscles function…[and] the way our spinal cords help us perceive pain.

Difference Between Acupuncture and Dry Needling

The Acupuncture Company gives some great insights as to the difference between the pain-relieving benefits of acupuncture and dry needling. In acupuncture, needles are specifically placed in set acupuncture points of the body in areas called “meridian lines” to restore balance and function to the body. The needles stay in the acupuncture points for 15-30 minutes and the therapy is used to treat symptoms such as stress, insomnia, digestive issues and more.

Dry needling focuses on trigger-points instead of set acupuncture points in the body. Trigger points are basically knotted areas of compression and tension in the body (think of a knot that is sore that you can feel). These can lead to neuropathic symptoms such as numbness, pain, tingling, tightness and more. With dry needling, the needles are placed in areas where trigger points (a.k.a concentrated areas of pressure and pain) are located, which could be in any part of the body. The needles do not stay in the body for any set amount of time; only the time needed to relieve the pain and symptoms.

How We Do Dry Needling

Dry needling is an effective treatment for muscular tension and spasm as well as the pain that is associated with trigger points in the body. We use it to treat symptoms of arthritis, muscle and ligament strain, nerve irritation and inflammation. When an injury occurs, the muscles in an area will naturally contract and restrict movement so they can heal. However, this also limits blood flow, meaning not as many nutrients are getting to the affected muscle, causing scar tissue and fibrosis to occur. With muscle restriction, a physical, palpable knot can even form, which we refer to as a trigger point. A trigger point can cause many symptoms, as it is basically a knotted muscle full of tension. This can cause pain in the area or in other seemingly non-related areas of the body.

With our dry-needling therapy, we insert a needle directed into the knotted trigger-point muscle to break the tension and relax the muscle. Once the muscle is relaxed and the trigger point disrupted, more blood flow is allowed in the area, speeding healing and relieving pain. We can also remove the trigger point completely so you no longer have pain or other symptoms in that area of the body.

Benefits of Dry Needling

Dry needling is done by those trained in physical therapy and chiropractic care, such as the professionals at Mile High Spine & Pain Center. Dry needling can help pinpoint and remove specific areas of pain in the body. Acupuncture simply relies on therapeutically releasing cortisol in the body instead of targeting what is causing you pain. We have relieved symptoms in our patients such as those caused by: TMJ/dental pain, headaches, neck, back and shoulder pain, joint pain, tendonitis, sciatica, strains and sprains, and pain associated with arthritis. Our therapy is far-reaching so even if you have symptoms other than those we listed, we can still help you!

Stop in at Mile High Spine & Pain Center today for your dry-needling appointment or call us at (720) 507-0080 to learn more about this service. You don’t have to live with constant pain or stiffness. We can help relieve your pain quickly and effectively today!



Mile High Spine & Pain Center