Dry Needling FAQ

What is the difference between dry needling and acupuncture?
Dry needling and acupuncture use exactly the same type of monofilament (slender, threadlike) needles, and in many cases, similar needle placement.  The difference lies in the theory.

Acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine framework, and is aimed at moving Qi (life force) along meridians (pathways) to treat pain and disease.

Dry needling is based on Western medicine, and is aimed at creating change within a particular tissue of the body – for example, creating relaxation in a painful, overactive muscle.

Does dry needling hurt?
The type of needles used in dry needling are generally 0.2 – 0.3
millimeters in diameter – a bit smaller than a period at the end of a
sentence in size 12 Times New Roman font.  This is considerably smaller
(about 10 times smaller area) than hollow bore needles, which are used
to draw blood or perform injections.  These thin needles generally do
not cause the sharp, painful sensations that would typically be felt
during an injection, blood draw, or vaccination.

While dry needling is painless for many patients, it is not unusual for dry needling to be a bit uncomfortable.  Most often, the sensations are dull and achy, the same way that applying firm pressure over a sensitive muscle would feel.  Sharp sensations are uncommon but possible, and are not a sign that anything is wrong.  These symptoms normally resolve very quickly, usually within moments.  In a large majority of cases, the relief the patient feels following the treatment is considerably greater and far longer-lasting than any discomfort experienced during treatment.

Is dry needling safe?
Yes.  In the hands of an experienced practitioner, dry needling is extremely safe.  There are some locations that we do not want a needle to enter – lungs, organs, nerves, and blood vessels.  Mike has extensive hands-on training in safe dry needling practice and a deep understanding of the anatomy required to safely perform dry needling.

What if we start dry needling but I don’t like it?
Communication is key.  Mike will communicate with you throughout the session to ensure that you are comfortable with the sensations your body is feeling, and will proceed at the pace you are comfortable with.  Treatment can be stopped or altered at any point.  Mike is completely receptive to your feedback and will adjust or adapt treatment to your specific requests.

What can I expect from treatment?
The exact number of needles can vary from 1 to 20+ depending on the area being treated, the treatment goal, and the preferences of the patient, but is most commonly around 6 to 12.  Normally Mike will start with a standardized protocol for the region the patient is seeking treatment, which utilizes points which are known to be safe and effective.  He will typically modify the protocol based on the exact area of patient’s symptoms and what he feels when he assesses the patient.

Typically the needles are inserted and left in place for
several minutes.  The needles will sometimes be physically
manipulated to create the desired treatment effect within
the tissues – most commonly winding/twisting motions to
stretch and elongate the tissues.  In many cases
(depending on the patient’s preferences and their exact
problem) we will apply electrical stimulation to the needle. 
The stimulation will create contractions of the muscle,
which can be extremely useful in resolving muscle spasms.




 

 

 

It is common for the treated area to feel a little bit “tired,” “heavy,” or “achy” immediately after treatment.  Sometimes improvement can be immediate.  More often, improvement happens over several hours following treatment.  It is most common for the improvement in symptoms to be most noticeable the following morning.  The duration of symptom relief depends on the cause of the patient’s symptoms.  Mike has treated many patients who have had significant or complete relief in symptoms with a single treatment.  More commonly, however, a series of several treatments (3-6) is most effective in improving the patient’s symptoms.  Other times, patients may choose to utilize dry needling during symptom flare-ups to manage chronic conditions.

Is there anyone who shouldn’t have dry needling?
Dry needling is safe for almost everyone.  However, there are some cases in which dry needling should not be used:
Lymphedema (severe swelling in one or more of the extremities)
After mastectomy (breast removal) or lymph node removal
Dry needling should not be done in or near the area of the lungs or abdominal cavity
If the patient has a pacemaker, it is not recommended to use electrical stimulation.
Patients who are on blood thinners may or may not be appropriate for dry needling, depending on other factors.


Want to know more about dry needling?
Explore more here.