Dry Needling

Dry needling is a safe and effective method of treatment provided at Evidence Physical Therapy to reduce pain and muscle tension, while simultaneously improving mobility. It has been proven to treat numerous musculoskeletal issues, including acute and chronic injuries, overuse injuries, neck pain, headaches, back pain, sciatica, muscle spasms, muscle strains, tendinitis, knee pain, hip pain, fibromyalgia, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and more.

If you are in Glenn Dale and Clinton looking for relief, or if you’d like to gain more information on how dry needling could benefit you, request an appointment at Evidence Physical Therapy today!

Why should I choose dry needling?

There are a large variety of musculoskeletal issues that can be treated with dry needling. When paired with our traditional exercise-based physical therapy treatments and advanced manual therapy techniques, we have found that the vast majority of our patients achieved the pain-free goals they were aiming towards.

After conducting a comprehensive evaluation to assess the nature of your condition, our Glenn Dale and Clinton physical therapist will let you know if dry needling is the best course of treatment for you. We have used dry needling to treat several diverse conditions, from chronic pain sufferers to athletes experiencing delayed onset muscle soreness.

Will dry needling hurt me?

Most of our patients report feeling little to no discomfort when undergoing dry needling treatments. Our highly-trained physical therapists know how to make the process as painless as possible; however, some patients may still experience a “twitch response” with the insertion of the needle.

This is comparable to a quick muscle cramp or ache. The 24-48 hours following a dry needling treatment may also result in muscle soreness, which should go away on its own. Sore muscles can be treated at home by applying ice and/or heat packs and drinking plenty of fluids.

So, how does it work?

This treatment method is used by our licensed Glenn Dale and Clinton physical therapists as a way to relieve pain. When performing dry needling, our physical therapist will insert a sterile needle through the skin, into the underlying tendons, ligaments, or muscles that have been affected, in order to relieve pain, decrease muscle tension, and improve mobility.

While it is a common misconception, dry needling is not acupuncture. It is based on a modern scientific study of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. While there are some similarities, dry needling is strictly based on Western medicine principles and research. It provides an environment that enhances the body’s ability to heal, ultimately reducing pain in the process.

Dry Needling FAQs

  • What is Dry Needling?

    Dry Needling is an invasive procedure in which filiform needles are introduced into the skin and tissues below as an effective treatment for trigger points in muscles that cause headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, sports injuries, hamstring pulls, tennis elbow, tight muscles, strains and radiating pain. Dry Needling can be administered to most parts of the body including the neck, back, legs, arms, foot, face, jaw and hip.

  • What is a Trigger Point?

    A Trigger Point is an area of a muscle which has tightened up involuntarily and causes pain. You may have heard this been referred to as a “knot” in the muscle.

  • Is Dry Needling Painful?

    You can expect twitching sensations in the muscle during the procedure, but then it will cease. Muscle soreness after the procedure may linger for 1-2 days, but pain symptoms are expected to decrease. Other benefits of trigger point dry needling include improved range of motion of the affected joint and improved activation of the involved muscles. Dry Needling is often combined with stretching, manual therapy and strengthening.

  • Is Dry Needling Safe?

    Our therapists at Evidence Physical Therapy have completed advanced training and are certified to safely perform trigger point dry needling on our patients.

  • Is Dry Needling the same as Acupuncture?

    Trigger Point Dry Needling is not the same as Acupuncture. Acupuncture concentrates on “energy meridians” in the body whereas dry needling concentrates on muscle tension.

  • Will my Insurance Pay for Dry Needling?

    The treatment of Dry Needling alone does not qualify for insurance reimbursement. It may qualify when combined with other physical therapy treatments but is insurance and plan dependent. Our facility accepts all major insurances. Our front desk staff will verify your benefits prior to dry needling treatment.

    Evidence Physical Therapy offers at $65 Cash Pay option for half-hour dry needling sessions not associated with formal physical therapy sessions.

Get started today!

Dry needling can speed up recovery time and allow you to return to your daily life as quickly as possible. If you are in Glenn Dale and Clinton and want to know more about our dry needling services, Contact Us Today at Glenn Dale & Clinton, MD Centers to request an appointment at Evidence Physical Therapy today. We’ll get you started on the path toward recovery!