Dear Therapist,
Someone recommended that I go to physical therapy and try dry needling for the pain I have been having in my leg. However, I’m not really a fan of needles and I’m worried that it will really hurt to be poked by a bunch of needles. Should I be afraid to try dry needling?
Cathy M | St. Henry, OH
Dry needling understandably can be a little bit daunting initially because you’re using needles and you’re going into muscles that are already a little bit sore. Something to know about dry needling is that the needles that we use are a lot smaller than what you would get for an injection, a vaccination, or an IV, for example. In a lot of the patients that I have worked with who have done dry needling with me, usually end up saying it wasn’t as painful as they initially thought. And that unless we hit a really sore spot, they honestly don’t feel it much. So even if you feel it or don’t feel it you can really still get the benefit from it and I think a lot of patients like that.
Alaric Keller, DPT, PT
Community Sports & Therapy Center
Dry needling understandably can be a little bit daunting because of the needles.
The muscles that are targeted by the dry needling are often already a little bit sore. However, it is important to note that the needles used for dry needling are a lot smaller than ones used for a typical shot or an IV, making them much harder to feel.
Most patients that receive dry needling that were at first a little hesitant end up saying that it wasn’t as painful as they initially thought.
Many times, unless a really sore spot is hit, they honestly don’t feel it much. Consequently, once you get past your hesitation to try dry needling the benefits outweigh the costs.
Dry needling is an effective treatment that can be used for a plethora of chronic pain conditions with very few side effects.
These include a wide range of acute and chronic symptoms that cause pain or hinder mobility, and is suitable for treating multiple musculoskeletal dysfunctions including, but not limited to:
- back and neck pain
- migraine and tension headaches
- hamstring problems
- ankle sprains
- shin splints and calf strains
- muscular tightness
- shoulder and scapular pain
- various forms of tendonitis
- plantar fasciitis
- multiples types of sporting injuries, and much more.
Our therapists who perform dry needling have received special high-level education and training. This includes a significant amount of post professional training and meeting expected competencies that include demonstration of cognitive and psychomotor knowledge and skills.
If you have questions about receiving dry needling or feel you are a good candidate, contact one of our qualified dry needling therapists at 419-678-OHIO.
If you are ready to seek relief from the many benefits of dry needling we offer this technique in our Coldwater and Celina locations. You can request an evaluation directly here or visit our website for more information.
Do you have a therapy question you need help answering? Please submit your questions to us at hello@cstcenter.com so we can help you answer them!