Dry Needling
Dry needling is a great way to manage pain holistically, improve blood flow and circulation, calm the nervous system and promote healthy muscles and joints. Both of our Physical Therapists are highly trained in dry needling treatment. At Wildflower, we emphasize a comprehensive approach to dry needling, addressing the root cause of pain, not just a single painful muscle.
Dry Needling FAQs
What is dry needling?
Dry needling involves the insertion of a small monofilament needle into the body with the goal of restoring proper blood flow, reducing tension and helping tissues heal. There is nothing being injected into your body, hence “dry” needling.
Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
The short answer is NO. Dry needling is based on modern medicine, whereas acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine. Read more about the similarities and differences here.
What are the benefits of dry needling?
There are MANY benefits. Some dry needling benefits include reduced muscle tension and pain, improved blood flow, improved joint range of motion, and faster healing time. Click here to go in more depth on the benefits of dry needling!
What does dry needling feel like?
Due to the small nature of the needles, you likely won’t feel the needle being tapped into the skin. Once the needle is moved, or manipulated, you may feel a brief cramping in the muscle and some soreness following treatment for 24-48 hours.
What are the potential side effects of dry needling?
In highly skilled hands, there are minimal side effects from dry needling. Some common side effects include minor bruising, bleeding or muscle soreness. Our Physical Therapists are well-trained in safety and that is our #1 priority when delivering dry needling to you.
How many sessions of dry needling do I need?
This depends on the severity of your symptoms as well as how long your issue has been going on. Most pain conditions resolve within 4-6 sessions, however significant relief can often be felt after the first session.
What conditions benefit from dry needling?
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Neck Pain
Dry needling works really well for neck pain, neck stiffness and tightness. Stubborn knots in your upper traps?! Carry tension and stress in your neck?! You would benefit from dry needling for neck pain.
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Headaches
Do you struggle with headaches or migraines? Dry needling is an excellent treatment option for all types of headaches including: tension headaches, cluster headaches, migraines, and cervicogenic headaches. Dry needling also works well for ear pain, facial pain and jaw pain!
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Sports Injuries/Performance
If you are an athlete and have not tried dry needling, you are missing out! Dry needling works really well for sports injuries as well as for injury prevention and to aid in recovery from your athletics and training.
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Back Pain
Back pain can respond really well to dry needling as well! If you have tightness or stiffness in your back, dry needling can help to bring blood flow to the muscles and nerves in the region and down-regulate pain.
Don’t wait, schedule an appointment with one of our expert Physical Therapists today!
What people are saying
“She introduced me to dry needling, and the results were almost instant! My pain level was reduced from an 8 to a 3 by the end of the session. The dry needling, along with an at home exercise plan to build strength in my core, has done the trick.”
— Wildflower client
“She suggested dry needling - I was a bit hesitant - it felt “weird” - but it has helped alleviate the headaches tremendously.”
— Wildflower client
