Dry Needling:

 

Both Katelyn and Morgan have been trained in dry needling specific to the following areas:

  • Pelvic floor muscles

  • SI joints

  • Low lumbar musculature (including quadratus lumborum & iliopsoas)

  • Hip musculature (hip rotators, extensors, flexors, abductors, adductors)

  • Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine (specifically multifidus muscles)

  • Sub-occipitals (where the base of the skull and neck meet)

  • Areas of the body with scar tissue (specifically abdominals and pelvic floor where surgery or tearing may have occurred)

 

What is Dry Needling?

This is a specialized technique where a “non-injection” thin, solid, filiform needle is inserted directly into the palpable trigger point. The needle may be inserted superficially or in full depth to reach the muscle belly. This is different than acupuncture as acupuncture tends to be placement of needles more superficially based on Chinese medicine focusing on meridians & channels of the body. Dry needling involves needling based on specific musculature and has been supported by numerous high quality evidence based research.


What are the Effects of Dry Needling?

  • Decreasing Myofascial Pain

  • Improving Range of Motion

  • Increasing Parasympathetic ANS (Rest & Digest/Homeostasis) and Decrease in Sympathic ANS (Fight or Flight)

  • Decreased Need for Pain Relieving Medications

  • Increasing Blood Supply to Specific Regions

  • Improving Post Surgical Healing

  • Decreasing Headaches

  • Decreasing Low back pain

  • Improving Urinary Incontinence

In a Randomized Clinical Trial by Brennan et. al *, it was found that the effects of dry needling were the same as corticosteroid injections. However, dry needling has less adverse reactions compared to steroid injections which are known to increase risk of “osteonecrosis, osteomyelitis, hallucinations, and death”. It was found that “Dry needling may be a viable treatment alternative to cortisone injection” in this study.

How long does dry needling take?

Research supports improved outcomes for patients who receive dry needling when more needles are used and needles are inserted for longer periods of time. This will be based on the patient’s comfort level, of course! Treatments will aim to have needles inserted for 15-30 minutes or as indicated.

What should you expect with dry needling?

This treatment service can be provided in addition to a regular physical therapy treatment session at a discounted cost or as a separate 30 minute session a la carte. The trained doctor of physical therapy will perform an assessment prior to inserting needles in appropriate regions of the body. You may feel a little needle prick when needle is initially inserted but this is relatively comfortable. As the needle is inserted further in:

  • if the needle passes through healthy/good moving tissue - you will feel little to nothing

  • If the needle passes through poor moving tissue or trigger points - you will most likely experience some tolerable discomfort. This is a good thing as we are able to address the problem areas contributing to your symptoms. You may experience a deep achey sensation.

After needles are inserted, the therapist will have you rest in this position for 15-30 minutes or as indicated. Removing the needles is practically pain free and quick.

What is the Cost of Dry Needling?

Patients who have dry needling as part of their physical therapy session: $30 (in addition to the physical therapy treatment cost)

Patients who would like to have a single 30 minute dry needling session outside of a planned physical therapy treatment time: $65

Do I need a Doctor’s Referral?

In the state of Virginia, it is no longer required to have a written approval or referral for dry needling! Discussion with your physical therapist on your medical history will take place to review any precautions or contraindications.

Out of an abundance of caution, dry needling during pregnancy, active cancer, or systemic infection is not performed.

*Brennan, K. L., Allen, B. C., & Maldonado, Y. M. (2017). Dry Needling Versus Cortisone Injectionin the Treatment of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: A Noninferiority RandomizedClinical Trial.Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports PhysicalTherapy,47(4), 232–239.https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2017.6994

Butts, r., dunning, j. And serafino, c., 2020. Dry needling strategies for musculoskeletalconditions: do the number of needles and needle retention time matter? A narrativereview of the literature. Journal of bodywork andmovement therapies