Dry Needling
Dry needling is a safe and effective method of treatment performed by a licensed physical therapist that works to reduce pain and muscle tension, while simultaneously improving mobility. It has been proven to treat numerous musculoskeletal issues, including acute and chronic injuries, overuse injuries, neck pain, headaches, back pain, sciatica, muscle spasms, muscle strains, tendinitis, knee pain, hip pain, fibromyalgia, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and more.
What exactly is dry needling?
This treatment method is used by our licensed Chicago, IL physical therapists as a way to relieve pain. When performing dry needling, our physical therapist will insert a sterile acupuncture needle through the skin, into the underlying tendons, ligaments, or muscles that have been affected, in order to relieve pain, decrease muscle tension, and improve mobility.
While it is a common misconception, dry needling is not acupuncture. It is based on a modern scientific study of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. While there are some similarities, dry needling is strictly based on Western medicine principles and research. It provides an environment that enhances the body’s ability to heal, ultimately reducing pain in the process.
Does it hurt?
Most of our patients report feeling little to no discomfort when undergoing dry needling treatments. Our highly-trained physical therapists know how to make the process as painless as possible; however, some patients may still experience a “twitch response” with the insertion of the needle. This is comparable to a quick muscle cramp or ache. The 24-48 hours following a dry needling treatment may also result in muscle soreness, which should go away on its own. Sore muscles can be treated at home by applying ice and/or heat packs and drinking plenty of fluids.
Will dry needling benefit me?
There are a large variety of musculoskeletal issues that can be treated with dry needling. When paired with our traditional exercise-based physical therapy treatments and advanced manual therapy techniques, we have found that the vast majority of our patients achieved the pain-free goals they were aiming towards.
After conducting a comprehensive evaluation to assess the nature of your condition, our Chicago, IL physical therapist will let you know if dry needling is the best course of treatment for you. We have used dry needling to treat several diverse conditions, from chronic pain sufferers to athletes experiencing delayed onset muscle soreness.
Dry needling can speed up recovery time and allow you to return to your daily life as quickly as possible. If you are interested in our Chicago, IL dry needling services, don’t hesitate to contact Loop Physical Therapy today to request an appointment. We’ll get you started on the path toward recovery!
