An intervention that has become a more common practice in physical therapy treatment is dry needling. Dry needling is the use of a thin needle that is inserted into trigger points located in affected/painful muscle(s). Dry needling is an effective and evidence based treatment that recently became legal for physical therapists to perform in Florida. Both Dr. Danny and Dr. Nick have been dry needle certified for 2 and 3 years respectively.
So, why would anyone want to be punctured like a voodoo doll you ask? Let us explain it to you!
Trigger points are hyper-irritable spots within a muscle belly. They are tight bands of muscle fibers that can be found easily, like that spot in your upper trap that feels like a knot or a ball. When stimulated, they can create spot tenderness or a pattern of referred pain in the body, like headaches or down the arm. So what does this mean for you? Read these compelling statistics regarding trigger points:
Studies from the United States have shown that myofascial trigger points were the primary source of pain in 30% to 85% of patients presenting in a primary care setting or pain clinic because of pain.
Myofascial trigger points were the primary source of pain in 74% of 96 patients with musculoskeletal pain who were seen by a neurologist in a community pain medical center and in 85% of 283 patients consecutively admitted to a comprehensive pain center.
Of 164 patients referred to a dental clinic for chronic head and neck pain, 55% were found to have active myofascial trigger points as the cause of their pain, as were 30% of those from a consecutive series of 172 patients who presented with pain at a university primary care internal medicine group practice.
"Therefore, myofascial trigger points pain constitutes a substantial burden for both individual patients and for society as a whole. Despite this, there is evidence that myofascial trigger points that cause musculoskeletal pain often go undiagnosed by both physicians and physical therapists, which leads to chronic conditions” (1).
Now that we know the effect that myofascial trigger points have on our bodies, let's explore how dry needling can help relieve our symptoms.
"Dry needling has been shown to immediately increase pressure pain threshold (PPT) and range of motion, decrease muscle tone, and decrease pain in patients with musculoskeletal conditions" (2).
While the mechanisms of action that facilitate these effects are unclear, studies show that dry needling triggers a series of physiological events that result in a reduction in pain:
Vasodilation: Tight and sore muscles are not supplied with enough blood and oxygen because of their contracted state. When the needle enters the muscle belly, it causes improved blood flow. This allows for nutrients to flow to the affected area to facilitate recovery, reduce pain, and relax the muscles.
Blocks Pain Receptors: Dry needling sends signals to the brain and triggers the release of neurotransmitters, the little chemicals that make you feel good. These neurotransmitters are the body's natural painkillers, blocking the transmission of pain from the pain receptors to the spinal cord and brain.
Stimulates Local Twitch Response (LTR): Dry needling acts as a mechanical stimulation that causes LTR. LTR is the involuntary contraction of your muscle fibres. When LTR occurs, it reduces the concentration of irritating substances that cause pain.
Muscle Regeneration: When the dry needle enters the muscle, it may cause a small lesion. The lesion activates the body's natural inflammatory process and prompting muscle fiber repair or replacement.
Dry needling can be used to treat a number of musculoskeletal conditions, such as:
Headaches
Neck pain
Low back pain
Hip pain
Knee pain
Plantar fasciitis
Tendinopathies
Muscle spasms
Muscle strains
Fibromyalgia
Our Doctors of Physical Therapy are trained and certified in dry needling and utilize this technique often! Book a consult now to see if dry needling is an appropriate intervention for you! Our physical therapists will be able to answer all of your questions and concerns. Come try dry needling in Tampa, today!
- Dr. Danny Xu
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