Needle Little Help About Dry Needling?
We’d Like To Get To The Point!
The use of dry needling has been growing in use here at Livingston Chiropractic. Because most patients don’t realize how much traction dry needling is gaining for the treatment of pain, I thought I’d give you a quick rundown of what dry needling is and how it works and helps.
First of all to answer the number one question: Is it the same as acupuncture? No, it is not the same as acupuncture although the needles do look similar. To quote a spokesperson from Cleveland Clinic: “Dry needling specifically targets muscle tissue to reduce pain, while acupuncture treats various body systems based on traditional Chinese medicine principles. Think of dry needling as a targeted missile for muscle pain, while acupuncture is more like a holistic wellness approach.”
Dry needling involves inserting a very thin needle into the trigger points in your muscles or the fascia on top of the muscles When it is applied to your affected muscles, it can decrease muscle tightness and reduce pain by increasing your blood flow and reducing fascia tension. The result is usually immediate relief because dry needling is a targeted missile for your muscle pain that will also improve your range of motion, enhance your muscle function, reduce your muscle tension, and speed up the recovery from exercise-induced fatigue. And let’s be crystal clear: we call it dry needling for a reason – the needle goes in clean and comes out clean. No substances. No medications. No injections. Just the needle itself doing all the work!
What is the dry needle procedure?
At Livingston Chiropractic we begin by assessing your pain points and your muscle tension. Dr. Livingston will press on different areas in your body to find your “trigger points” – those painful knots that were key in bringing you in to see Dr. Livingston.
After he finds your trigger points, Dr. Livingston will use dry needles to work their magic. Each needle prick last for about 10 to 20 seconds depending upon the situation that exists in each of the muscles. You may feel a quick pinch but often feel no pain at all.
Following your dry needling session There may be some tenderness, but most patients feel no adverse effects. This is completely normal. Livingston Chiropractic recommends that you:
- Drink lots of water.
- Apply 10-15 minutes of heat to any of the sore spots.
- Keep moving nice and easy (forget about long runs for 24 hours).
- Do gentle stretches.
- Get plenty of rest.
You might have some minor side effect. Here are a few:
- Soreness similar to those following a workout.
- A little bit of stiffness.
- A little bit of tiredness.
- A little bit of muscle twitching.
- Maybe a tiny bruise at the needle site.
- Maybe a tiny dot of blood at the needle site.
All of these are completely normal and are not a cause for concern. Remember you are working with Dr. John Livingston, a chiropractor who really knows his stuff.
Are you a candidate for dry needling?
Honestly speaking, the conditions warranting dry needling are very varied. Since dry needling alleviates tightness from scar tissue or pain from sprains and strains, the first thing most people think of is an injury from some sort of athletics That is true. However, it also includes desk-bound workers who are guilty of terrible posture all day, patients recovering from surgery, and those with chronic headaches, chronic pain, or stiff muscles.
A study in 2024 showed that dry needling was most helpful for the patients who combined it with exercise. The results revealed that it aided in everything from neck pain to heel pain.
Bottom Line: Dry needling is definitely proving its effectiveness for chronic pain, and Dr. Livingston is a known expert in this field. We’d like you to consider dry needling as a “tool in your pain-fighting tool box.” For an evaluation call us at Livingston Chiropractic at 440-528-0005 ext.1.