You may be a good candidate for dry needling if you have difficulty with mobility, chronic tension headaches, or inflammation and joint issues due to musculoskeletal conditions. Leander, TX, dry needling is a therapeutic treatment procedure for connective tissues in the body. At Austin Physical Therapy, we insert small filament needles into the painful joints and connective tissues that are the trigger points for pain and stiffness. It does not involve mediation or any injected solution, just fine, delicate needles. It’s usually pain-free (many patients do not even feel the needles being inserted), and once the filament needle has advanced into the affected muscle, the feelings of stiffness and discomfort are alleviated.
Dry needling can be effective for both acute and chronic pain, pain, and injury prevention, and as a part of your physical therapy for injury recovery. It has few side effects and may be ideal for patients who do not want to treat a musculoskeletal injury with medication or surgery. If you believe that this treatment for neuromuscular dysfunction is right for you, please call us for a personalized appointment.
Am I A Good Candidate For Leander Dry Needling?
If you have soft tissue dysfunction (trouble with ligaments, tendons, or muscles) or myofascial pain, you could be a good candidate for dry needling. Dry refers to the needle not having any medication in it when injected. The goal of this procedure is twofold: decrease pain and increase mobility and function. If you have a limited range of motion in your joints or painful inflammation that makes it difficult to work or care for your personal needs, you may be a good candidate for dry needling.
We often use dry needling in conjunction with other physical therapy techniques to help you regain your abilities and live with less pain. Our goal is to restore the proper function of the affected area and reduce the chances of re-injury.
Conditions We Treat With Dry Needling
Our patients often ask us about non-surgical and drug-free ways to treat joint pain, inflammation, and other chronic, painful conditions. We use dry needling as part of comprehensive treatment for several musculoskeletal disorders to help relax the surrounding muscles by addressing the trigger points.
Some of the conditions we treat with dry needling include:
- Headaches
- Shoulder pain
- Ankle pain
- Shin splints
- Knee pain
- Muscle tightness
- Hamstring problems
- Back pain
- Sports injuries
- Neck pain
Safety, Efficacy, And Side Effects Of Dry Needling
Dry needling involves injecting needles directly into the muscle. Many people experience immediate relief of stiffness and pain and are able to enjoy a greater range of motion. However, like any medical procedure, it does involve some risk and may have some side effects, which you should discuss with your physical therapist.
Dry needling is minimally invasive with a low risk of complications. When performed by a licensed medical professional, serious adverse effects are rare. However, some patients may experience one or more side effects:
- Temporary discomfort or stiffness
- Bruising
- Mild soreness at the needle insertion site
- Slight bleeding
More severe, although rare, side effects include:
- Vasovagal response (fainting)
- Pneumothorax (collapsed lung) if needling is done in the chest area
- Infection at the needle site
- Nerve damage
Is Leander dry needling treatment right for you? If you have joint pain, stiffness, or chronic conditions that cause joint pain and stiffness, this procedure may offer considerable relief as part of your physical therapy regimen. Contact Austin Physical Therapy today for a consultation.