Can Dry Needling Treat my Condition?

Dry needling is an increasingly popular procedure to treat conditions correlated with moderate to severe pain and a limited range of motion. Learn more about dry needling and what conditions it treats from the experts in healing at One Accord Physical Therapy, with locations in Casa Grande, Gilbert, and Phoenix, Arizona. 

What is Dry needling?

Acupuncture and dry needling are similar, yet they are vastly different. Dry needling is a form of myofascial trigger-point therapy conducted in a safe, sterile environment under the care of medical doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, or acupuncturists. Only prescribed if necessary, it can swiftly help to increase your range of motion resulting from sore or tight muscles due to soft tissue damage or injury. 

Trigger points are tender knots throughout your body that can restrict movement and cause significant pain. By inserting a tiny needle into these trigger points, your muscles will tense and immediately relax to diminish the most glaring symptoms quickly. 

The benefits of trigger point needling don’t stop there, however. Over time, dry needling may offer psychological benefits, such as improved mood and less stress. 

Trigger point needling is used to lessen the occurrence of pain and problematic symptoms of certain conditions.

Here are 10 conditions that dry needling treats: 

• Myofascial pain
• Disk and back problems
• Whiplash 
• Restless leg syndrome
• Migraine headaches
• Joint problems
• Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tendonitis
• Muscle weakness

What to expect during your dry needling appointment

At One Accord Physical Therapy, treatment for injury recovery and pain management includes a multifaceted approach. At your appointment, your physical therapist or chiropractor will gather pertinent information regarding your condition and health history to help create a customized treatment plan to include dry needling for your pain or stiffness. 

Other treatments may include manual therapy, spinal manipulation, or patient education. During your treatment, you may experience soreness, bleeding, or fatigue. To monitor your progress, our staff will be there every step of the way.

Who should not have dry needling treatment

If you have any of the following health conditions, consult with your doctor to see if dry needling would be beneficial: 

• Diabetes
• Vascular disease 
• Lymphedema
• Cancer
• A compromised immune system
• Epilepsy

Some medications, such as blood thinners, need to be cleared for trigger point needling as well. Of course, it’s always best to check with your doctor to establish and verify your eligibility prior to beginning any treatment. 

You don’t have to suffer from debilitating pain on your own. The team at One Accord Physical Therapy is here to guide you on your healing journey. If you want to try dry needling to relieve pain or expand your range of motion, schedule a consultation with our online scheduling tool today.