Is Dry Needeling Right for My Back Pain?

Dry needling is gaining popularity as a treatment for various conditions. If you are experiencing lower back pain you might be wondering if dry needling is right for you. Read on to discover how this technique can help you to alleviate pain.

What is Dry Needling: 

Dry needling is the insertion of thin monofilament needles directly into the muscle belly to help break up trigger points, often referred to as “muscle knots.” Dry needling has numerous benefits including improving blood flow, reducing muscle tension, and promoting healing through stimulating the body’s natural inflammatory response. 

Is Dry Needling Right for My Back Pain: 

Dry needling is used often to treat lower back conditions. After doing a thorough evaluation, your physical therapist will determine if dry needling is appropriate for your specific needs! Your physical therapist will also determine the appropriate dosage of the treatment. Dry needling is a very safe and effective technique, and all physical therapists at Breathe in Motion are safely trained in its usage.

What Does Dry Needling Treat:

Dry needling can treat a wide array of conditions including: 

• Sciatica pain

• Chronic back pain

• Disc problems

• Muscle spasms

These are all conditions we commonly treat here at Breathe in Motion with dry needling being a part of the plan of care. 

What to Expect When Being Dry Needled at Breathe in Motion?

Our Physical therapists at Breathe in Motion are trained in a variety of dry needling techniques. One common approach is trigger point dry needling. This involves locating trigger points in the muscles and inserting the needle directly into them using a fanning motion. Fanning is when the needle moves in and out the muscle to help fully clear the trigger point. This typically lasts for a couple of seconds. It is common to experience muscle twitches or recreation of symptoms during this process. These symptoms are actually a good sign, indicating the needle is precisely where it needs to be. 

Another technique we use involves adding electrical stimulation after the needle is placed. This helps further promote healing and blood flow. Your physical therapist will determine which technique is most beneficial for you and your pain. 

Ready to explore if dry needling can help you regain control of your life? Call us today! We are conveniently located in both Brookfield and Mequon.