Dry Needling
Reid Health offers expert dry needling to relieve muscle pain and restore function, serving people throughout East Central Indiana and West Central Ohio.
What is dry needling?
Dry needling is an advanced physical therapy technique designed to relieve muscle and joint pain while improving movement. This is achieved by targeting tight muscle bands, known as myofascial trigger points.
Many of our physical therapists have specialized training in this evidence-based therapy and often combine needle insertion with electrical stimulation to enhance the healing process. Dry needling helps break down scar tissue, increase blood flow, and promote connective tissue repair, which can lead to improved range of motion and reduced pain.
Dry needling
Goals of dry needling therapy
The overarching goal of dry needling is to reduce pain and restore function by addressing the root causes of muscle tightness and dysfunction. Specific objectives include:
- Enhancing blood flow: Dry needling increases circulation, which aids tissue repair and reduces inflammation.
- Improving range of motion: The release of tight muscle fibers improves your flexibility and joint mobility.
- Reducing muscle spasms: Needle stimulation relaxes your muscles and decreases painful muscle spasms.
- Relieving pain: By targeting myofascial trigger points, dry needling helps reduce chronic muscle-related pain that can limit daily activities.
- Supporting rehabilitation: Physical therapists often incorporate dry needling as part of your comprehensive rehabilitation plan. Its ability to release tight muscles and reduce pain might make other therapies less uncomfortable.
Conditions treated with dry needling
Physical therapists use dry needling to treat a variety of conditions, including these:
- Arthritis-related muscle pain
- Chronic back and neck pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Frozen shoulder and other joint stiffness
- Headaches and migraines
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- Postsurgical rehabilitation
- Sports injuries
What to expect during dry needling treatment at Reid Health
Before your first session, your physical therapist conducts a comprehensive exam to understand your health history and why you’re in pain. This evaluation helps us create a personalized recovery plan that combines dry needling with other therapy techniques. Your plan also includes the number of sessions needed to help you find relief.
The dry needling process
During treatment, your therapist inserts thin needles into the affected muscle areas. While dry needling can sometimes be uncomfortable, many people describe sensations ranging from mild pressure to a brief twitch or cramp in the muscle — known as the “local twitch response.” This reaction signals that the needle has successfully engaged the trigger point. Some therapists might add electrical stimulation to the needles to enhance muscle activation and promote healing.
Each session typically lasts 15 to 30 minutes and can be repeated weekly or biweekly, depending on your progress and treatment goals. The number of treatments varies depending on the severity and duration of symptoms.
Side effects of dry needling
After dry needling, you might experience temporary soreness or muscle fatigue similar to what you might feel after an intense workout. This is a normal part of the healing process and usually goes away within a day or two. During the course of your dry needling sessions, you might notice increased flexibility, improved function, and gradual improvements in pain relief.
Common questions about dry needling
Why choose Reid Health for dry needling therapy?
We’re proud to be the only facility in East Central Indiana and West Central Ohio offering specialized dry needling services as part of our comprehensive physical therapy programs. Our licensed therapists bring advanced training and experience to deliver safe and effective care that’s individualized to you. We combine dry needling with traditional therapy techniques to maximize recovery and improve quality of life.
If you experience musculoskeletal pain or movement limitations, dry needling might be a valuable treatment option to help you regain function and reduce pain.