Dry Needling Austin, TX

What is dry needling?

If you are currently experiencing pain and/or are experiencing a reduced range of motion following an injury, consider making a dry needling appointment with  Austin Physical Therapy in Austin, Texas. Dry needling is not to be confused with acupuncture. Although they seem to be identical practices, these two methods are not the same, and one should consider the differences before deciding which approach is best for them. 

Dry needling utilizes small needles that are inserted into trigger points in muscles. Trigger points are particularly sensitive areas in a muscle or fascia that cause discomfort after being pressed. The overall goal of a dry needling session is to minimize pain and discomfort, but it may also help to increase a person’s flexibility. 

Acupuncture, on the other hand, is a traditional Eastern medicine practice. Similarly to dry needling, small needles are inserted into muscles. Unlike dry needling, the goal of acupuncture is to relieve a person of stress, pain, or discomfort by stimulating nerves and potentially releasing endorphins. 

What conditions can dry needling help treat? 

Dry needling is rarely used as a standalone treatment plan for a patient. When used in a physical therapy setting, a patient that uses dry needles will also perform exercises, receive manual therapy, and utilize other services in order to get a well rounded treatment plan. Oftentimes, dry needling is used to increase a patient’s range of motion caused by various factors including muscle tightness or scar tissue. The following list is not exhaustive, but it does include other conditions that may benefit from a needling session.

• Head and neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Elbow pain
• Back and hip pain
• Knee pain
• Ankle and foot pain
• Pain following sports injuries 

Of course, after finding a physical therapist in Austin, Texas that is certified in dry needling, it is important to let them know the state of your injury so that they can help you decide whether or not this treatment is for you. 

What risks are associated with dry needling?

When done by a trained therapist, dry needling is a relatively risk-free process. A recent comparison of various dry needling studies found different kinds of adverse effects related with this treatment.* While most significant and serious events are rare, there are a few minor effects that a patient may experience. These side effects are of short duration and do not inconvenience the patient. These include:

• Bruising
• Bleeding
• Pain during or after the treatment
• Nausea 
• Sweating
• Aggravation of symptoms followed by improvement
• Feeling relaxed/energized
• Feeling tired/drowsy
• Dizziness 

What types of dry needling are offered at Austin Physical Therapy?

In our clinic, we offer trigger point, systemic, functional, circumferential, and painless dry needling in Austin, TX. For physical therapists in Texas, proper education, training, and certification are required in order for therapists to perform dry needling on their patients. Both of our therapists, Our team, are certified in dry needling, and they are well experienced and comfortable in treating various conditions. Just as with any form of therapy, we want to ensure that you are getting personalized treatment. Therefore, you want to find an approach that works for you and your condition. Dry needling isn’t a catch all, as not all approaches work the same for everyone. If you are in Austin, Texas and are interested in trying a dry needling session, email us at [email protected] or call us at 512-985-2200 to schedule your appointment today. 

Dry Needling Adverse FAQ