On Pins and Needles: How does Dry Needling Therapy Help?

What conditions can it help?

Dry Needling can successfully treat muscle strain, muscle pain, and chronic pain. It is an effective choice of treatment to help reduce pain, relieve trigger points, and restore functional movements.

However, it is rarely chosen as a standalone procedure. To get the best long term results, it often is carefully designed as a part of a successful hands on, one-on-one physical therapy.

Acupuncture vs Dry Needling: Which is Best?

Both therapies use fine filament needles gently inserted into select areas in the body. The main difference is, dry needling is based on modern science, proven physical movement principles. The fine needles comes in direct contact with the muscles.

In traditional acupuncture, the principles of Chinese medicine applies, treating the body in a more general fashion. Trigger point needling treats specific problem areas of the muscles.

Its major benefit of muscle needling is an immediate therapeutic effect on a particular area of pain or injury, giving noticeable relief in a shorter amount of time.

How painful is it?

Due to using very thin filaments, the discomfort is minimal, much less than a blood drawn or vaccination. Once the thin needle gently glides into the muscle, it can feel like a deep cramp. But it only lasts no more than 15 to 30 seconds.

Experiencing some soreness after each treatment is normal. Often there are no other side effects.

So, How Soon Can I Expect To See Results?

You may begin to experience the benefit of dry needling, mainly experience less muscle pain or trigger point pain within 1-2 days after dry needling. Many report an immediate relief within a day.

How long the benefit lasts can vary per individual. After a few sessions you will typically have a length of relief over several days.

Over time, you can expect the results to be permanent and lasting.

Dry Needling is a safe and effective choice of treatment. It is non invasive and does not contain any habit forming pain medications. Because it is a part of one on one physical therapy (and not your typical Run-In-the-Mill bulk care), it also gives speed and consistency to a faster, more comfortable recovery.

Contact Us to find out if trigger point dry needling in Westport, CT is right for you.