I’m a Physical Therapist, and These Are 3 Reasons Why I Swear By Dry Needling For My Patients
When someone comes to physical therapy, what exactly are they looking for? The likely answer is to feel better in the quickest amount of time possible. As a new physical therapist, I often opted for manual therapy techniques to help relieve muscle tightness for my patients. Then, I started to add an instrument-assisted technique called Graston to the mix. I later learned about dry needling from my manager, and I saw many of my patients benefit from adding dry needling to their plan of care. What exactly is dry needling, though? And is it right for you?
How Do I Know If Dry Needling Is Right For Me?
Most people have experienced some muscle tightness or pain in their lives. Many of those people have gone to get a massage or seen a chiropractor for an “adjustment.” They may have seen slight short-term improvements in their symptoms afterward, but symptoms often tend to return and remain a long-term issue. One popular technique within healthcare that has shown great promise for addressing and managing pain and tightness is dry needling. But what exactly is this “dry needling” we’re referring to?
How Much Do You Know About Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a technique that is gaining in popularity. We understand that there is a lot of information available, sometimes this information is conflicting or confusing. We hope to be able to answer your questions as simply as we can. Let’s take a look at some common questions about dry needling.
Can Dry Needling Help Plantar Fasciitis?
Taut bands can exist within your body that disrupt blood flow to your muscles. The affected area can become an acidic environment and begin to radiate pain elsewhere in the body. Trigger points are when those taut bands start to refer pain elsewhere. A technique called dry needling can help with this referred or local pain. Dry needling is a skilled intervention that uses a thin filiform needle to penetrate the skin and release underlying myofascial trigger points, muscular and connective tissues. It can help manage neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments. Dry needling is used for a variety of diagnoses, from headaches and migraines to low back pain. This helpful technique is also a treatment option for plantar fasciitis. This condition often affects endurance athletes.
3 Ways to Roll Away Muscle Tension
Sedentary jobs, decreased activity levels, and increased stress have made us a less mobile population. Our muscles are overactive and tight, creating imbalances in our bodies, which can lead to poor posture, joint pain, and a host of avoidable injuries. Most of us can’t afford a live-in masseuse, and massages from our significant others are expected to be reciprocated (and who wants to do that?), so how are we supposed to alleviate our tense, overactive muscles? Below I have 3 options for you, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. (more…)
