Dry Needling

What is dry needling?

Dry needling is a minimally invasive procedure that relieves musculoskeletal pain and mobility problems. 

During treatment, your Elite Chiropractic & Wellness provider inserts a series of sharp, thin needles into trigger points (tight knots of muscle). Piercing the trigger points relieves tension, increases blood flow, and relieves pain.

What types of problems can dry needling treat?

The Elite Chiropractic & Wellness team uses dry needling to treat various musculoskeletal problems, including:

• Pelvic pain
• Joint issues
• Intervertebral disc issues
• Migraine and tension headaches
• Whiplash
• Repetitive strain injuries (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome)
• Spinal issues
• Tendinitis

You might benefit from dry needling if you have a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder that causes chronic jaw or facial pain.

Can anyone undergo dry needling?

Dry needling is safe and usually well-tolerated, but it isn’t for everyone. Elite Chiropractic & Wellness typically recommend treatment to patients 12 and older. Even though the needles are thin, the insertion process can be painful, especially for young children.

Let your provider know if you’re pregnant or have a compromised immune system. If you take certain prescription medications, like blood thinners, alert the team to that information as well. 

What happens before dry needling?

Your Elite Chiropractic & Wellness provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms and goals. Then, they complete a chiropractic exam to determine if you’re a candidate. Your provider then explains the treatment process and answers any questions you have.

What happens during dry needling?

You lie on an exam table, and your Elite Chiropractic & Wellness provider cleans and sterilizes your skin. Afterward, they carefully insert a series of needles into the top layer of your skin. How deep they insert the needles depends on your symptoms and treatment goals.

Depending on your needs, the needles stay in place for several seconds or up to 20 minutes. Your provider might also move the needles in and out of your skin to promote different healing processes.

During dry needling, it’s normal to experience mild soreness or tingling sensations. This is nothing to worry about and means your body is responding to treatment.

How many dry needling treatments will I need?

It depends. Some people experience immediate relief after just one session, but the Elite Chiropractic & Wellness team typically recommends a series of at least three dry needling treatments spaced several weeks apart.

Call Elite Chiropractic & Wellness today to schedule a dry needling consultation, or make your appointment online.