If you have myofascial pain, you may wonder, “Can top rated physical therapists near me help relieve my symptoms?” The answer is probably yes, especially if those therapists perform a technique called dry needling. This is a pain relief modality that can help relieve myofascial symptoms. There are many misconceptions about it, but here you can learn the facts.
Differentiating Between Dry Needling and Other Treatments
Some patients may confuse dry needling with trigger point injections. The latter treatment involves using a hollow needle to deliver medicine, usually an anti-inflammatory or numbing agent, directly to the trigger point with a syringe. Generally speaking, only a doctor can administer medicine in this manner, so you would probably not receive this treatment at a Mt Spokane physical therapy clinic.
Dry needling is so called because it does not involve administering any medication. The needles used for this treatment are solid rather than hollow, so no fluids can flow through them. These thin needles are the same as those used for acupuncture. However, acupuncture is a different, older technique that does not involve targeting trigger points specifically.
Relaxing and Loosening up Muscle Groups
Myofascial pain results from overusing the muscle. This irritates nerves by increasing acid levels in the soft tissues. The combination of muscle tension and irritated nerves causes a trigger point to form. A trigger point is an area of hypersensitivity and pain.
Studies have shown that dry needling helps to relax muscles and ease trigger points. It is not entirely clear why this happens. One theory is that the discomfort from the needle insertion causes the body to release endorphins. These are naturally occurring painkillers that work the same way as narcotics to relieve pain and relax your body, without the harmful side effects.
For dry needling to be effective at stimulating the trigger point and promoting endorphin production, the needle has to penetrate deeply through all the layers of the skin and the subcutaneous tissue to reach the muscle. If you’re asking yourself, “Is this worth finding physical therapy near me to undergo this treatment?” remember that the needles are thin, and inserting them causes only mild discomfort.
Relieving Pain by Increasing Blood Flow
Part of the reason that trigger points form in the first place is because an overused muscle expends more oxygen and nutrients than the blood supply can replenish. Stimulating the muscle with dry needling increases the blood flow to the area as part of the body’s reflexive process of healing itself.
The increased flow of blood brings with it more oxygen. It also brings nutrients from the food you eat that the muscle needs to repair the damage. This returns the muscle to its original pH, which helps to reduce the nerve irritation that caused the trigger point to form.
Finding a Physical Therapy Clinic That Performs Dry Needling
More physical therapy clinics are providing dry needling services as research continues to demonstrate its effectiveness. An internet search should show you clinics in your area that perform dry needling. You can also ask your pain doctor for a recommendation or referral.
