When it comes to pain management, dry needling is a treatment that’s becoming more popular among health care professionals, including physical therapists. Similar to acupuncture, dry needling targets specific trigger points, which are painful areas where muscles and connective tissue have become knotted, to afford relief. Here’s what you should know about the procedure to decide if it’s right for you.

What Are Some of the Benefits of Dry Needling?

1. It Treats Many Different Ailments

Pain management professionals who utilize dry needling are equipped to treat many different conditions. For instance, the procedure relieves spinal issues that cause back pain, such as disc compression. It’s also useful for treating carpal tunnel syndrome, which occurs due to repetitive motion. This therapy is also beneficial for treating migraines, temporomandibular joint disorders, whiplash, and tendinitis, among other ailments. 

2. It’s Associated With Very Few Risks

While dry needling is not recommended for certain patients, such as pregnant women, it’s considered a safe procedure. Side effects are usually minimal, and these include light bruising, soreness, and minor bleeding at the insertion site. It’s best to discuss the treatment with your pain management specialist, who will be able to assess your risk and determine whether it’s a good option for you. 

3. It’s Effective at Relieving Pain

The biggest benefit of dry needling is that it’s a good method of pain relief without the side effects of medication or surgery. It can also address referred pain, which is pain that extends from the area of injury to another part of the body. As tissue is stimulated by needles, patients can also experience an increase in movement and mobility. 

To explore the benefits of dry needling first-hand, turn to Physical Therapy Specialists in Dothan, AL. Their experienced team utilizes many safe and effective treatments to help with pain management, so patients can enjoy an improved quality of life. They offer more than a decade of experience, which can be applied to patients in the post-surgery healing process, or those experiencing chronic back pain. They’ll also take steps to help you prevent future injuries, which is especially important for people leading active lifestyles. Schedule a consultation today by calling (334) 673-2422.