Interested in trying dry needling to help with your rehab, but not sure what to expect? You’ve come to the right place! To be more prepared and comfortable in your session, read the following information. We want you to know what to expect from a dry needling session.
Arrive in loose comfortable clothing for Dry Needling
Depending on your tolerance, plan to relax for approximately 25 min while the needles stay in and do their work to decrease your pain and muscle tightness. Keep in mind, once they are in place and you are comfortable, you typically no longer feel them in.
What about Pain with Dry Needling?
Most people worry about pain. These needles are tiny, much smaller than the needles used to take blood, and they are not hollowed out, allowing them to be nearly microscopic. Many of them won’t hurt at all going in, however the more pathologic or damaged your tissue is, the more you may feel it. We take this as a good sign that we have found the right spots to treat.
What do people experience with Dry Needling?
Many people experience a relaxation effect after needling. We aim to increase vagus nerve stimulation in our treatments, which can lead to decreased overall pain levels, decreased muscle tightness, and sometimes a better sense of relaxation and well being.
Depending on the person, some people feel sore the next day, but many feel nothing. If we have treated a particularly tight and painful area, it is not unusual for the soreness to last up to 48 hours. This is the same type of soreness you would feel after a particularly strenuous workout. Try using heat at home for any sore spots.
How many Dry Needling Session do I need?
The number of sessions a patient will need can vary. Many areas respond well to 4-6 treatment sessions in conjunction with strengthening any weak areas at home or in PT or OT. If you’re unsure, just begin with 1 session and assess your response. Some people with chronic pain do well with “tune-ups” where they return for a needling session every 2-3 months.
Summary: What to Expect with Dry Needling
Hopefully, this helps you understand what to expect from a dry needling session. Like any therapy treatment, like exercises, manual therapy, or neuromuscular re-education, dry needling works as part of a whole and complete treatment program. It’s not, and shouldn’t be considered, a magic bullet. Sometimes, dry needling helps restart the healing process and can help alleviate pain, stiffness, and soreness. It always helps to talk it over with your doctor or therapist to see if this type of treatment may be right for you.
If you feel like dry needling would be beneficial for you, or if you want to learn more, then please call the office to schedule an evaluation to determine the best plan of action; we would love to meet you
