How Dry Needling Relieves Pain

Pain can be debilitating, and sufferers are often willing to do whatever it takes to find relief, even if it involves being poked all over the body with tiny needles. Dry needling trigger point therapy is an effective drug-free treatment for muscle pain that has been used for decades. It is performed by physical therapists who are specially trained in the procedure. It is used by athletes and people suffering from musculoskeletal pain and chronic injuries. There is minimal discomfort while the treatment is being performed.

We use dry needling therapy for a variety of musculoskeletal issues. These include hip and back pain, neck and shoulder stiffness and pain in the heel. Dry needling therapy is most often performed as part of a comprehensive pain treatment plan that includes massage therapy, specific exercises and other techniques. If you are searching for an excellent treatment for chronic pain, dry needling therapy could work for you.

How Dry Needling Works

The reason it is called dry needling is that the needles do not inject anything into the body. They are the same needles used in acupuncture. These tiny sterile needles are inserted through the skin and into muscle tissue, targeting myofascial muscle points, or knots. They are also called trigger points and create debilitating inflammation and pain.
How dry needling works is not completely understood, but experts theorize that the needles stimulate electrical activity where they are inserted. This results in a muscle twitch, which is helpful for restoring normal muscle movement.

Relieve Tight Muscles And Improve Circulation

When we insert a dry needle into muscle tissue it increases blood flow, which is another way this treatment helps. By improving circulation, pain is decreased both in the muscle and in other parts of the body. Often, when a muscle is sore, it can provoke pain in other parts of the body, often called referred pain. Increased blood flow flushes out the area and decreases tension.

Natural Pain Relief

While pain medications have their place in relieving chronic pain, it is often in the best interest of the patient to use drug-free methods for obtaining relief. Dry needling trigger point therapy has been shown to increase the production of specific neurotransmitters. These include opiate peptides like beta-endorphins, which are natural pain killers made by the body. These neurotransmitters block the sensations of pain from reaching both the spinal cord and the brain.

Each individual is unique, so results vary. Some patients find relief of muscle soreness and mobility after only one treatment. Other patients need multiple sessions coupled with complementary treatments such as stretching exercises and massage therapy. There might be muscle soreness in the areas treated for one or two days after the treatment. It is also important that the patient wear loose clothing and keep the muscle moving.

If you are suffering from chronic pain and limited mobility, dry needling trigger point therapy might be just what the doctor ordered. Contact your health care provider and discover if it is right for you.

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The Benefits of Physical Therapy for Seniors

As we age, adapting certain habits and practices is crucial in keeping our bodies as healthy and as safe as possible. When it comes to mature adults, especially those over the age of 60, physical therapy is one of the best ways to get the proper exercise that can help heal and prevent injury from daily activities, which we are more prone to experience over time. Participating in physical therapy could help you or someone you love have increased mobility, avoid unnecessary injuries, and have better strength and overall health.

The Fall Risk 

As we get older, our bones and muscle mass are not the only things that begin to change. Seniors are prone to additional side effects of aging like loss of balance, joint stiffness, a diminished vision, hearing loss, and bone diseases like Arthritis and Osteoporosis. This combination of physical side effects puts mature adults at a high risk for falling. In fact, according to the CDC, over one third of adults over the age 65 experience at least one fall a year, and these falls often result in moderate to very severe injuries. 

The Benefit of Physical Therapy

While many people wait until physical therapy is prescribed after a serious fall, surgery, or injury occurs in order to help heal and alleviate pain, participating in physical therapy as a preventative measure to these cases is one of the best things you can do! The exercises taught during physical therapy will give each patient a basis for how to properly take care of their changing bodies while giving them the ability to maintain as much strength and muscle mass as possible. The aches and pains that come along with age can be severely reduced by consistent physical therapy, which can greatly improve the quality of life for any senior. 

Other Benefits

Not only does participating in physical therapy, either preventive or prescribed, help you decrease your chances of suffering a fall and help you heal after an injury or hospitalization, but there are a wide range of other benefits too! Because of the chronic pain that can be brought on by various conditions like osteoporosis, many seniors are prescribed an over abundance of medications. With one benefit of physical therapy being reduced pain and symptoms from these conditions, this also allows many people to reduce their medication load, reducing the cost as well as simplifying everyday life. 

There is not a one size fits all approach to physical therapy because every individual has a specific set of needs in order to reach their most optimal health. Your physical therapist will work closely with you to cater every stretch and exercise to you and your needs. And while the thought of addressing your need or the need of someone you love for physical therapy can seem daunting, the opportunity for every person to lead a healthy, happy, and independent lifestyle for as long as possible is priceless. 

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