Needle in a Pain Stack: What Dry Needling Really Does
Welcome back to MoveMed! Today, we’re talking about something that often intrigues and even intimidates patients—dry needling. You may have heard about it or experienced it yourself, but let’s dive deeper into what these tiny needles actually do according to the latest research and why they’re such a powerful tool for recovery.
Dry Needling: What’s Really Happening Inside the Muscle?
Dry needling, sometimes confused with acupuncture, involves inserting a thin needle into specific points of a muscle. The goal? To stimulate a response that promotes healing and reduces pain. But what’s actually going on when that needle goes into your muscle?
A Neurological Wake-Up Call
One of the most fascinating things about dry needling is the immediate neurological effect it can produce. When a needle is inserted into a muscle, it often triggers a twitch response—if you’ve had dry needling before, you’ve likely experienced that “big jump” in your muscle. This isn’t just an odd side effect; it’s a powerful reflex that signals the brain to pay attention to the area.
In practical terms, this twitch response wakes up the brain’s awareness of the muscle. Research shows that dry needling can alter the way your brain communicates with the treated area, enhancing your body’s natural ability to control movement and reduce pain. One study demonstrated that the neurological changes induced by dry needling can improve motor function and decrease pain sensitivity, making it a crucial part of rehabilitation .
Microtrauma: Sparking the Healing Process
Another key component of dry needling is the microtrauma it creates. This might sound alarming, but microtrauma is actually beneficial. When the needle penetrates the muscle, it causes a controlled, minimal injury that stimulates your body’s healing response.
Think of it like this: when the body detects microtrauma, it sends out repair signals to the affected area, kickstarting a cascade of biological responses that speed up healing. By intentionally causing this tiny injury, dry needling tricks your body into healing more efficiently. According to a recent review, this microtrauma increases blood flow, reduces muscle tension, and releases chemicals that accelerate tissue repair .
Why Is This Important for Your Recovery?
The real magic of dry needling lies in the combination of these two effects—the neurological wake-up call and the microtrauma-induced healing. By targeting the brain’s awareness of the muscle and stimulating a full healing response, dry needling addresses both the root cause of the problem and its symptoms.
This technique is especially effective for patients dealing with chronic pain, muscle tightness, or injuries that aren’t healing as quickly as they should. By “reawakening” the brain’s control over the area and boosting the body’s natural healing processes, dry needling can significantly speed up recovery.
Does It Hurt?
A question I often hear is, "Does it hurt?" The answer depends on the individual and the area being treated. Most patients feel a deep ache or slight discomfort during the twitch response, but it’s usually brief. In many cases, the short-term discomfort is well worth the long-term benefits.
The Science of Healing: Why Dry Needling Works
Research backs up the effectiveness of dry needling in reducing pain and enhancing recovery. A 2022 study published in the Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy found that patients who received dry needling as part of their treatment reported faster pain relief and improved mobility compared to those who did not receive needling therapy . The combination of neurological and biological effects makes dry needling a versatile and potent tool in treating musculoskeletal conditions.
The MoveMed Approach: Integrating Dry Needling with Movement
At MoveMed, we often integrate dry needling into a broader treatment plan. The needling works in harmony with movement-based therapies, which helps to cement the new neurological patterns and healing responses. Remember, movement is key! After a session of dry needling, we encourage gentle exercises to maintain the improvements and prevent the recurrence of pain.
Ready to Experience the Benefits?
If you’re curious about dry needling or think it might help with your recovery, book an appointment at MoveMed today. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain or looking to speed up your healing process, dry needling could be the missing piece to your recovery puzzle.
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References:
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Dommerholt J. Dry needling - peripheral and central considerations. J Man Manip Ther. 2011 Nov;19(4):223-7. doi: 10.1179/106698111X13129729552065. PMID: 23115475; PMCID: PMC3201653. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3201653/
Gattie E, Cleland JA, Snodgrass S. The Effectiveness of Trigger Point Dry Needling for Musculoskeletal Conditions by Physical Therapists: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017 Mar;47(3):133-149. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2017.7096. Epub 2017 Feb 3. PMID: 28158962. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28158962/
Kietrys DM, Palombaro KM, Azzaretto E, Hubler R, Schaller B, Schlussel JM, Tucker M. Effectiveness of dry needling for upper-quarter myofascial pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2013 Sep;43(9):620-34. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2013.4668. PMID: 23756457. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23756457/
Lara-Palomo IC, Gil-Martínez E, López-Fernández MD, González González LM, Querol-Zaldívar MLÁ, Castro-Sánchez AM. Efficacy of Dry Needling for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Altern Ther Health Med. 2023 Nov;29(8):110-120. PMID: 36399082. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36399082/
