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Dry needling is a trusted procedure that utilizes a thin, solid filament needle inserted directly into the skin and muscle at a trigger point, where muscle knots and tissue discomfort occur. When administered by our chiropractor or physical therapist, the imbalance can be safely and effectively treated, ending the pain cycle at the source.
We recognize that needles often cause alarm; however, the method is typically wholly painless, with many patients expressing feelings of relaxation during and after treatment.
Dry needling is used to naturally target trigger points that are causing local pain, which is pain in the area of dysfunction, and referred pain, which is pain that shows up away from the dysfunction.
Trigger points are found throughout the body, and dry needling can be used to treat all, including:
- Back
- Neck
- Arms
- Shoulders
- Legs, including the knees and calves
- Glutes and hips
- Head
Our Annapolis dry-needling chiropractor has successfully treated several patients with dry needling and our integrative approach to care. By supporting and restoring the body using our organic methods, patients can expect to receive the ultimate in healing and education.
If you’re ready to return to a pain-free, active lifestyle, let’s connect. We’re happy to discuss our dry needling process and answer any concerns you have.
What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling therapy is a precise technique that utilizes ultra-thin needles to target specific areas of compromised soft tissue, known as trigger points. This method works by stimulating these points to reset the affected muscles and connective tissues.
The aim is to alleviate pain and improve function in the musculoskeletal system, concentrating on muscle repair. By inserting needles into carefully selected sites, we can effectively reduce discomfort and promote healing. While the needles only penetrate superficially, they can reach and treat deep within the muscular trigger points.
This safe and versatile approach can benefit patients with various injuries or chronic pain conditions. Due to its targeted nature, dry needling often produces rapid and noticeable results. Many patients experience significant improvement in pain levels and range of motion shortly after treatment while also reducing recovery time and enhancing overall performance.
We’ve seen how the myriad benefits of dry needling help our patients find comfort as they maximize function.
Other than releasing trigger point pain, dry needling offers many benefits; some include:
- Safe muscle and soft tissue repair
- Increased blood flow, nutrients, and oxygen to the affected tissues
- Fast, reliable, lasting, and effective pain relief
- Reduced inflammation, adhesions, and muscle spasms
- Improved range of motion, movement patterns, posture, and flexibility
- Improved relaxation and sleep quality
- No recovery time or downtime from the procedure
- Complements other natural chiropractic methods for enhanced results
Dry needling can help patients of all types, including athletes, overuse patients, and those with muscle aches and injuries. Our team will collaborate to determine the most efficient strategy unique to your needs, and we’ll always ensure your comfort and confidence with your wellness plan.
Injuries, Conditions, & Symptoms Dry Needling Can Treat
Dry needling has a proven track record and has been clinically shown to benefit musculoskeletal issues, both chronic and acute. Whether you need to rehabilitate after an athletic competition, have an old sports injury, or experience everyday muscle aches associated with your lifestyle, dry needling may be an excellent, conservative option for relief.
We utilize dry needling therapy to help numerous patients; some include:
- High school athletes and college athletes
- Sports competitors
- Weekend warriors
- Active and sedentary patients
- Those with a sports injury
- Auto accident and personal injury patients
- Those with overuse injuries
Dry needling is particularly beneficial for active individuals, allowing them to maintain their training routines, prepare for events, and compete with minimal interruption.
Common symptoms, injuries, and conditions dry needling therapy can help alleviate include:
- Back pain and chronic back pain, including lumbar pain, numbness, and tingling sensations, and disc injuries, including disc herniation or disc bulge
- Chronic neck dysfunction
- Headaches, migraines, and TMJ
- Shoulder pain and injuries, including rotator cuff dysfunction
- Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
- Hip pain and sciatica
- Knee pain or knee joint stiffness and injuries, including jumper’s knee and runner’s knee
- Hand and wrist pain, including carpal tunnel syndrome
- Ankle sprains, pain, and stiffness
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tendinitis
- Muscle pulls, strains, and spasms
- Scar tissue or adhesions
- Nerve dysfunction
Our comprehensive team is prepared to determine the best solutions for your impairment. We want to help you find comfort, perform at your best, and regain your quality of life using a streamlined, practical approach that gets you the desired results. Let us help you regain your body’s integrity.
Dry Needling Frequently Asked Questions
While needling has been used for centuries, dry needling is considered a modern, innovative therapy with many mysteries. Below are some dry needling FAQs to help you better understand what it is and how it works.
What does dry needling do?
Dry needling is a natural technique our experienced chiropractor or physical therapist delivers.
Our team will help restore soft tissues by administering thin needles to the skin over the injured trigger points. This helps manage musculoskeletal pain and stiffness and improves mobility dysfunctions and range of motion in the stimulated areas.
Some causes of trigger points include:
- Repetitive muscle movements and overuse
- Regularly lifting heavy objects, as with your sport, exercise, or occupation
- An acute or sudden injury
- Habitual poor posture, movement patterns, and lifting technique
- Tense muscles
- Chronic mental stress
- Regular physical stress on targeted muscle groups
- Regular wear and tear
Our care will help restore the muscles, but we’ll also provide invaluable insight on how to help avoid trigger point pain moving forward.
Are dry needling and acupuncture the same thing?
Dry needling and acupuncture are similar in their use of needles; however, they offer different forms of healing. Acupuncture is an aspect of traditional Chinese medicine based on the metaphysical theory of normalizing energy flow in the body. Needles are placed in body meridians to achieve this energy correction.
Dry needling is a Western medical technique based on scientific studies with a focus on targeted muscle recovery, where needles are placed in compromised trigger points or sore muscle areas.
Does dry needling hurt?
The needles used in this therapy are extremely fine, making their insertion virtually painless for most patients. Occasionally, you might feel a brief muscle twitch as the needle is placed, but this sensation is typically not uncomfortable. For the majority of people, the procedure is pain-free.
After your session, it’s normal to experience some mild soreness or a dull ache in the treated areas. This feeling is similar to what you might experience after an intense workout and usually subsides within a day or two.
We prioritize your comfort throughout the entire process. Our practitioners will communicate openly with you during your treatment, explaining each step and addressing any concerns. We encourage you to ask questions at any time: before, during, or after your session. Our goal is to ensure you feel informed and at ease throughout your experience.
Is dry needling really safe?
Yes. Dry needling is a safe alternative to many highly invasive procedures and has an impressive safety record. It is a precise and effective therapeutic technique that often delivers rapid pain relief by promoting the body’s natural healing processes, helping to repair damaged soft tissues and restore optimal function.
What is a dry needling appointment like?
During your appointment, your doctor will have you positioned comfortably on a treatment table, exposing the area to be treated. We will then carefully insert fine needles into specific trigger points within the affected soft tissue. These needles typically penetrate about 10mm deep and remain in place for 10 to 15 minutes.
The procedure is precisely targeted to address your unique condition. The number of needles used and their exact placement will be tailored to your specific needs.
Treatment duration varies depending on several factors:
- The nature of your injury
- Its severity
- Your response to the therapy
- Your comfort level with the procedure
We will develop a personalized treatment plan that includes our recommended number and frequency of sessions to achieve optimal results and may include other healthcare treatments. Your plan may be adjusted as your condition improves or evolves.
Your comfort and progress will be closely monitored throughout the process, ensuring the most effective and comfortable treatment possible.
Visit Our Annapolis Sports & Family Chiropractor for Dry Needling Treatment
Our clinic specializes in a comprehensive, wellness-focused approach to healthcare. We go beyond symptom management, aiming to identify and address the underlying causes of your discomfort using an array of natural techniques and providing the insight to maintain your in-clinic results.
Our services offer:
- A holistic perspective on health and healing
- Natural, safe, integrated treatment methods
- Personalized care plans tailored to your individual needs and abilities
We’re committed to helping you achieve lasting relief and improved well-being, not just temporary pain reduction. Our approach is ideal for those who value proactive health management and seek to enhance their body’s natural healing abilities, function, and performance.
Whether you’re an athlete looking to optimize your body, a professional managing work-related strain, or someone pursuing a healthier lifestyle, our care can help you move, feel, and live better.
Some of the chiropractic solutions, physical therapy treatments, and massage therapies we offer that complement our dry needling service include:
- Chiropractic adjustments and spinal manipulations
- Active Release Technique (ART)
- Fascial Stretch Therapy
- The Graston Technique
- McKenzie Method
- Sports chiropractic
- Kinesio taping
- Class IV laser therapy
- Myofascial release
- Deep tissue massage
- Medical massage
- Sports massage
- Swedish massage
- Take-home exercises and lifestyle education for proactive and preventative care
Every program we create utilizes evidence-based and patient-centered strategies based on your injury, lifestyle, goals, and needs. We understand your desire for a reliable, pain-free body that supports your active lifestyle. Our goal is to help you achieve just that.
Take the first step towards reclaiming your mobility and comfort. Schedule an appointment today, and let’s work together to manage your pain effectively. Our customized treatment approach aims to get you back to your daily routine with renewed confidence and vitality.