Dry needling is a modern treatment designed to ease muscular pain.
During dry needling, a practitioner inserts several filiform needles into your skin. Filiform needles are fine, short, stainless steel needles that don’t inject fluid into the body. That’s why the term “dry” is used.
The needles are placed in “trigger points” in your muscle or tissue. Dry needling is also sometimes called intramuscular stimulation. The points are areas of knotted or hard muscle.
Dry needling helps release the knot and relieve any muscle pain or spasms.
The needles will remain in your skin for a short period of time.
What are the benefits of dry needling?
Dry needling may provide relief for some muscular pain and stiffness. In addition, easing the trigger points may improve flexibility and increase range of motion. That’s why this method is often used to treat sports injuries, muscle pain, and even fibromyalgia pain.
What does research say about dry needling?
Most of the existing research for dry needling supports the practice for relieving mild to moderate pain.
The most common side effects around the injection site include:
- bruising
- bleeding
- temporary soreness
