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What Is Dry Needling and How Does It Work?

Chiropractor applying Dry Needling Treatment Schererville to shoulder pain.

The key to chronic pain management can be tricky to decipher. It often takes time and patience to see results since pain can be challenging to manage. There’s no universal solution to chronic pain, but fortunately, holistic pain relief has been shown to provide numerous benefits for people of all ages. Dry needling is among the best choices for natural pain relief, and there are many reasons why. Not only is dry needling effective, but it also delivers relief with few side effects or disruptions to your life. Motus Integrative Health incorporates dry needling in our patients’ custom pain management strategies. Learn more about this procedure below.

Understanding Dry Needling

Dry needling plays an important role for many patients dealing with chronic pain. While there are similarities, dry needling is different from acupuncture since it targets knots and pressure points located in the muscles. We use this technique to relieve muscle pain and cramps and increase your quality of life. A medical practitioner inserts thin, filiform needles into these myofascial trigger points and activates them using gentle hand movements. Studies have demonstrated its benefits for numerous health conditions, including:

  • Back pain
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Injuries, such as tennis elbow
  • Neck pain

What Does Dry Needling Feel Like?

Generally, dry needling does not cause any pain or discomfort for most patients. The procedure involves inserting very thin needles into specific points on the body. You may feel a dull ache or pressure when inserted, and sometimes, the needles may be heated beforehand. Some of our patients report feeling relaxed during dry needling, while others feel energized. We do everything to ensure that you feel comfortable the whole time. 

What Does Dry Needling Do to the Body?

Health specialists believe that dry needling reduces tension in muscle knots. Patients can achieve better well-being and accelerate healing by treating knots in the muscles, which restores normal mobility. As a result, you’ll have less pain and stiffness, especially as you continue to receive treatment. 

What Happens During the Procedure?

The body is filled with myofascial trigger points where our specialists will insert the needles. In many cases, the appropriate point is located far away from the area of pain. Before beginning, we will discuss the treatment and provide instruction. The process involves the following steps: 

  • Needle Insertion. We will insert needles into various points across the body. Since the needles are very thin, you will most likely not notice any pain or discomfort. Typically, the procedure involves between five and twenty needles and may cause mild pressure when they are inserted to the ideal depth. 
  • Needle Manipulation. Depending on your specific case, our specialist may gently move the needle as it is inserted for additional benefits. 
  • Needle Removal. As you continue to lie still and relax, we will remove the needles, and there is usually no discomfort during this stage. 

Learn More By Talking to a Chiropractor

If you’ve been struggling to manage your chronic musculoskeletal pain, turn to our team at Motus Integrative Health. Dry needling is just one of the many holistic treatments we provide, so visit us to explore your options.  

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