Optimal Health Uncovered

E12: Is dry needling right for you?

August 04, 2020 Performance
Optimal Health Uncovered
E12: Is dry needling right for you?
Show Notes Transcript

In this episode, Mike and Todd discuss the benefits of dry needling and when to use this modality.  Mike is certified in dry needling and covers how he got certified, who is able to get certified, why its beneficial, who should have it done, and the process of dry needling a patient.  They also reveal what the research says about dry needling and what happens in the skin and tissues during a dry needling session.  

Introduction to dry needling

How Mike became dry needling certified

There are multiple certifying bodies

Just a piece of the puzzle of treating patients

Dry needling can be done by physicians, physical therapists, acupuncturists or other healthcare provider

Fine monofilament needle inserted into the tissue

No medication needed in the needle

Wet needling is different

Dry needling is similar to acupuncture in that they both use similar needle types

Dry needling cam have an analgesic effect

Arthritic pain may be not be recommeneded for dry needling

If there is presence of trigger points ot active trigger points, dry needling would be indicated

Is dry needling the same as acupuncture

Insert the monofilament needle into the trigger point

Quadriceps 

Used needles in leg to address low back pain

Where do you focus the needles with pain

Focus the needles in the area with the most pain

Depth of needle penetration is based upon the area of the body

Dry needling typically is deeper than acupuncture 

Is dry needling effective?

What evidence based research is available for dry needling?

Needling needs to be a part of what you do, not all of what you do.

Dry needling needs to be used in conjunction with other tools and modalities

What is a trigger point?

Trigger point is a taught band that refers pain to another area

Point tenderness is not necessarily a trigger point

Different chemicals are present in a trigger point

End plate

Over time, if trigger points remain, muscles can shorten and decrease in length

Inflammatory markers are present in trigger points

Massage can also be beneficial for trigger points

A targeted trigger point can be 

Release a trigger point using dry needling and then what?

Apply deep pressure and then stretch that area

Get the muscle moving and retrain the muscle after releasing that trigger point

Manual therapy and reactivation are needed after release of a trigger point

What if I don’t like needles?

Dry needling needles are a very narrow gauge so it pushes tissue versus boring out skin

Finding the trigger point is more uncomfortable than the actual needle insertion

Muscle can be impeding a function of the body and dry needling can help release some of these conditions

The risks involved with dry needling are very low.

There can be some bruising or hitting a superficial blood vessel can create issues

A very rare risk but serious complication is a pneumothorax.

Dry needling is part of the treatment, it is not the whole treatment

Research does support dry needling

Dry needling can help pain, improve quality of life, improve range of motion, but its not a standalone treatment

Final thoughts on dry needling