Dry Needling

What is dry needling?

Dry needling is the process of using thin needles, termed “dry” indicating absence of medication or injection, inserted into muscle tissue to decrease pain and improve function. It can increase circulation and reduce tightness, but on a larger scale, it is reducing your body’s heightened response to pain or injury. Dry needling can open a window for us to move better and strengthen so we can get better faster.

Who is it for?

Dry needling is for just about everyone! Overuse injuries, sciatica, headaches, joint and muscle pain, and even post-surgical cases are all instances where dry needling may be of benefit. Dry needling allows the physical therapist to more directly interact with the underlying tissue to produce change. We take precaution with patients who have increased infection risk or are immunocompromised. We are also mindful when patients are pregnant, taking blood thinners, have decreased sensation, or present with other medical conditions. In most cases, we are still able to perform dry needling but often we will check with your primary care provider first. 

How is this different from acupuncture? 

Dry needling is based on anatomy and physiology while acupuncture is from traditional Chinese medicine following meridian points. While the needles are the same, the theory behind the process and how we choose our needling points is very different.

Dry needling is not acupuncture, which is based on traditional Chinese medicine performed by acupuncturists. See our recommendations for acupuncture here.

Does it hurt? 

Generally, no. Most patients agree that it does not feel like you are being poked with a needle. However, it may create a deeper aching or reproduce the pain that you are seeking treatment for. This is actually what we want because it emphasizes that what we are doing is effective. You may be sore after, but it is similar to the muscle soreness of having just worked out. If at any point a patient finds the treatment to be too uncomfortable, we stop!

Examples of Dry needling

Learn More

Learn more about the benefits of dry needling, including patient stories, at The American Physical Therapy Association’s health center on dry needling.

Please feel free to contact our dry needling specialist, Carli Kavanagh with questions about the treatment or to see if this type of PT is right for you!! carli@arrowptseattle.com