Jamie Pribyl PT, DPT, MTC, Speaks on Dry Needling Treatment

Written by Jamie Pribyl Pt, DPT, MTC

What is Dry Needling? Dry needling involves putting acupuncture needles (thin monofilament needles) into muscles, ligaments, tendons, subcutaneous tissues, and scar tissues to get them to relax and release. Originally, dry needling was used only to enter into trigger points of dense outer tissue, but the practice has expanded since it has been found to be beneficial for multiple tissues. When manual techniques are not effective in relaxing or releasing tissues, dry needling is a nice alternative treatment.

Is it the same as acupuncture? No. Acupuncture is a Chinese Medicine technique that has to do with balancing Chi (energy) and using Meridians. The goal of acupuncture is to restore health through stimulation, generally by entering needles into the skin at points along the meridians of the body. Dry needling uses needles to treat painful soft tissues. I use palpatory skills to identify tight and tender tissue areas and then I insert the needle into these tissues to release them. I believe there are benefits in both treatments; however, their techniques are different.

Does it hurt? Usually, the needle going in feels like a mosquito bite because the needle is so small. Once the needle hits a treatment zone, the muscle/tissue may grab or spasm and patients may experience referred pain (pain in a different area than where the needle is being inserted), which they describe more as an “ache” rather than a “severe” pain.

“I was skeptical at first but the dry needling has helped dramatically and is something I would recommend to people to try to relieve their symptoms.” -Patrick Fulton

To learn more about the procedure, call our office at (775) 284-8650, or ask your provider at your next appointment at Nevada Advanced Pain Specialists.