Dry needling

Question 1

When to use dry needling

Answer 1

• Myofascial pain with detection of trigger points
• Strains
• Osteoarthritis
• Tendinopathies
• Back pain
• Referred pain
• Migraines
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Phantom limb pain

Question 2

Techniques for dry needling

Answer 2

• Superficial: needle is inserted 5-10mm into bottom layer of skin(subcutaneous tissue) above trigger point
  -Deep: needle is inserted beyond subcutaneous tissue deep to muscle to penetrate trigger point
  -Pistoning: also called the in-and-out technique, the therapist quicklymoves the needle up and down through the tissue

Question 3

Precautions/contraindications to dry needling

Answer 3

• Do not use with children under the age of 12
• Patients with a phobia of needles or are unwilling to try dry needling
• Cognitive impairments or misunderstandings of parameters
• Local or systemic infections
• Localized edema
• Vascular disease (e.x. Varicose veins)
• During the 1st trimester of pregnancy
• Patients with compromised immune systems
• Patients on blood thinners
• Recent surgery

Question 4

Possible side effects of dry needling

Answer 4

• Bleeding● Bruising
• Pain
• Prolonged symptom aggravation
• Fainting
• Forgotten needles

Question 5

Dry needling benefits

Answer 5

• Low-Risk
• Decrease pain severity and pain pressure threshold – Especially in comparison with trigger point compression
• Increase ROM
• Increases blood flow
• Short-duration
• Highly researched
• Non-invasive

Question 6

How is dry needling used it PT

Answer 6

• Help treat pain and movement impairments for joint, muscle tissue, and bone disorders
• Releases trigger points in order to improve ROM
• Normalize dysfunctions in motor end plates to help nerve impulses enter the muscle
• Typically used in a wider treatment plan
• Used alongside stretching, exercise, and massage techniques