This is an effective physical therapy modality used in conjunction with other interventions in the treatment of orthopedic injuries with a component of myofascial pain and dysfunction.
A physical therapist with specialized postgraduate training uses dry needling as part of their treatment protocol with appropriate patients. A solid filament needle is inserted into the skin and muscle directly at a myofascial trigger point. A trigger point consists of multiple contraction knots, which are related to the production and maintenance of the pain cycle. When inserting the needle into the muscle, it is essential to elicit twitch responses, which are spinal cord reflexes. The twitch response is both diagnostic and therapeutic, as it is the first step in breaking the pain cycle.
Many different musculoskeletal problems can be treated with dry needling. These include, but are not limited to:
- Neck, back and shoulder pain
- Arm pain (tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, golfer's elbow)
- Headache, including migraine and tension type headache
- Jaw pain
- Buttock and leg pain (sciatica, hamstring strains, groin strains, Achilles tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis).
Frequently asked questions
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What is dry needling?
A clinician with specialized post-graduate training uses dry needling as part of their treatment protocol with appropriate patients. A solid filament needle is inserted into the skin and muscle, targeting a myofascial trigger point. A myofascial trigger point consists of multiple thick bands of muscle fibers and often feels like knots. Myofascial trigger points can be related to the production and maintenance of the pain cycle. When inserting the needle into the muscle, it is essential to elicit twitch responses, which are spinal cord reflexes. The twitch response is both diagnostic and therapeutic, as it is the first step in breaking the pain cycle.
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Is dry needling acupuncture?
No, dry needling is based on Western medical research and principles, whereas acupuncture is based on Eastern Chinese Medicine. The main similarities are that the same disposable solid filament needles are used and that sterile hygiene practices are followed. Licensed clinicians can use dry needling in accordance with the practice act of the State where they treat. Clinicians must meet stringent regulations to practice dry needling as a treatment intervention that they offer to patients.
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What kind of education/training has the clinician participated in to learn dry needling?
For physical therapists, the licensed clinician must have at least two years of work experience in addition to post-graduate training to perform dry needling. Physical therapists must meet requirements specific to the State/jurisdiction where they practice to include dry needling in their treatment of patients. These requirements are stringent to provide protection for the public. Your therapist can discuss their specific training and education with you prior to your treatment.
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What types of problems can be treated with dry needling?
Many different musculoskeletal problems can be treated with dry needling. These include, but are not limited to:
- Neck and back pain
- Shoulder pain
- Arm pain (e.g. tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, golfer’s elbow)
- Headache (e.g. migraine, tension type headache)
- Jaw pain
- Leg pain (e.g. sciatica, hamstring strains, groin strains, Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis)
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Does needling hurt?
Most patients do not feel the insertion of the needle. The local twitch response elicits a very brief stimulatory response that typically lasts less than one second. Some patients describe this as a cramping, burning, or aching sensation. The therapeutic response occurs with the elicitation of the local twitch response, and that is a good and desirable reaction.
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What can I expect after treatment?
Many patients report being sore after the treatment in both the area treated and the area of referred symptoms. Typically, this soreness lasts between a few hours and three to four days. Soreness may be alleviated by applying ice or heat to the area and performing specific exercises for the treated muscle as directed by your clinician.
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MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Lafayette Centre
1120 20th St., NW Bldg. 1 North Floor 1 Washington, D.C., 20036
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Irving Street – Orthopedic Center
Physician's Office Building - Washington Hospital Center 106 Irving Street NW Suite 410 South Washington, D.C., 20010
NRH Rehabilitation Network at 19th Street
1145 19th St. NW Ste. 403 Washington, DC, 20036
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Irving Street – Neurorehabilitation Center
102 Irving St., NW MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital First Floor Washington, DC, 20010
NRH Rehabilitation Network at K Street
2021 K St. NW Ste. 215 Washington, D.C., 20006
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Gambrills
740 MD-3 South Gambrills, MD 21054
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Waugh Chapel
2410 Evergreen Rd. Ste. 100 Gambrills, MD 21054
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at South Baltimore
2900 South Hanover St. Ste. 102 Baltimore, MD 21225
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Waverly
1100 East 33rd St. Ste. 105 Baltimore, MD 21218
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Rosedale – Orthopedic and Hand Center
9101 Franklin Square Dr. MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center Medical Arts Bldg., Ste. 205 Baltimore, MD 21237
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Hunt Valley
2 Loveton Circle Suite G-100 Sparks, MD 21152
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Timonium
2118 Greenspring Dr. Ste. 200 Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Perry Hall
5009 Honeygo Center Dr., Ste. 209 Perry Hall, MD 21128
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Westminster
412 Malcolm Dr. Ste. 200 Westminster, MD 21157
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Bel Air – Orthopedic and Sports Center
12 MedStar Blvd. Ste. 325 Bel Air, MD 21015
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Bel Air – Athletic Club
658 Boulton St. Bel Air Athletic Club Ste. A Bel Air, MD 21014
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Ellicott City
9501 Old Annapolis Rd., Dorsey Hall Medical Center Ste. 125 Ellicott City, MD 21042
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Chevy Chase – South
5454 Wisconsin Ave. 11th Floor Chevy Chase, MD 20815
NRH Rehabilitation Network at Chevy Chase – North
5530 Wisconsin Ave. Ste. 960 Chevy Chase, MD 20815
NRH Rehabilitation Network at Germantown
20500 Seneca Meadows Pkwy. Johns Hopkins Wellness Center Ste. 101 Germantown, MD 20876
NRH Rehabilitation Network at Wheaton
2730 University Blvd. W. Ste. 812 Wheaton, MD 20902
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Olney
18109 Prince Philip Dr. Ste. 155 & 355 Olney, MD 20832
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Brandywine
13950 Brandywine Rd. Brandywine, MD 20613
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Mitchellville
12158 Central Ave. Mitchellville, MD 20721
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Hyattsville
6401 America Blvd. Ste. 204 Hyattsville, MD 20782
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Oxon Hill
6196 Oxon Hill Rd., Ste. 450 Oxon Hill, MD 20745
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Hollywood
24035 Three Notch Rd. Phillip J. Bean Medical Center Hollywood, MD 20636
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Alexandria
6355 Walker Lane. Ste. 512 Alexandria, VA 22310
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Ballston-Marymount
4040 N. Fairfax Dr. Ste. 120 Arlington, VA 22203
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Lorton
9455 Lorton Market St. Ste. 201 Lorton, VA 22079
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Navy Yard
925 Half Street SE Washington, DC, 20003
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Pasadena
8028 Ritchie Hwy. Ste. 120 Pasadena, MD 21122
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Catonsville
3455 Wilkens Ave. Ste. 306 Baltimore, MD 21229
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Federal Hill
1420 Key Hwy. Ste. 300 Baltimore, MD 21230
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Dundalk
1576 Merritt Blvd. Ste. 7 Baltimore, MD 21222
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Pikesville
1838 Greene Tree Rd., Woodholme Medical Bldg. Ste. 245 Pikesville, MD 21208
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at White Plains
4240 Altamont Place Ste 101 White Plains, MD 20695
301-638-1783
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Leisure World
3305 North Leisure World Blvd. Ste. 200 Silver Spring, MD 20906
NRH Rehabilitation Network at Rockville
14955 Shady Grove Rd. Ste. 230 Rockville, MD 20850
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Clinton
8926 Woodyard Rd. Ste. 501 Clinton, MD 20735
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Leonardtown
23511 Hollywood Rd. Leonardtown, MD 20650
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Lake Ridge
12825 Minnieville Rd. Ste. 201 Lake Ridge, VA 22192
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Cockeysville
10534 York Rd. Ste. 104 Cockeysville, MD 21030
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Frederick
163 Thomas Johnson Dr. Ste. G Frederick, MD 21702
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
9105 Franklin Square Dr. Ste. 106 Baltimore, MD 21237
MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital
5601 Loch Raven Blvd. MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital O’Neill Bldg., 2nd Floor Baltimore, MD 21239