About 2 years ago, I was having a lot of upper back pain. We tried massaging it, putting heat on it, and using pain cream… Nothing worked! I told my doctor my problem and he said that I would most likely always have pain. 

But, I didn’t want to believe that. Not long after that, one of my therapists suggested dry needling and I have been hooked ever since! 

It treated all of my back pain!!!

Most of the time, when I tell someone I get dry needling, they have never heard of it. Then, once I explain it, they have a ton of questions. (keep reading after picture)

So, what is it? 

A thin needle goes through the skin and treats muscular trigger points for the management of muscle pain.

Here are some questions I have heard:

What is a trigger point? 

It is a local contracture or tight band in a muscle fiber that can restrict range of motion or cause pain. 

How does it work? 

When dry needling is applied to a tight muscle or trigger point, it can decrease the tightness, increase blood flow, and reduce local and referred pain.

It treats muscle tissue, and it’s goal is to reduce pain, inactivate trigger points and restore function.

Is it painful putting the needles in and what does that feel like?  

It’s more painful in some places than it is others. I can feel my muscles twitch more in my calves than anywhere else. In my hands and the back of my neck, it hurts when the needle goes in. But, I hardly feel it in my traps.

How deep does it go?

About 5-10 millimeters.

 Why does it not bleed? 

Sometimes, it does. When a needle pops a blood vessel.

What kind of problems is it especially good for? 

Dry needling can be used for a wide variety of issues, such as shoulder, neck, heel, hip and back pain, even headaches. I read that it can help with nerve pain, which is something a lot of people with spinal cord injuries struggle with. But I don’t have much of it, so I am not sure if it helps that.

Where all do you get it? 

I have gotten it in the back of my head, my neck, back, shoulders, hands, hips, quads, calves, and feet! Literally, from head to toe!!! 

Can you hear it? 

When I get it in the back of my head, we can hear the needle tapping the back of skull ?.

Dry needling has helped me be almost pain free! Would you do it? If you have some kind of pain, you should give it a try!!!